Christmas is magical… but let's be honest, it can also be absolute sensory chaos for our dogs. From the doorbell ringing every six minutes to children running around high on festive excitement to endless food temptations everywhere - it’s no wonder so many dogs struggle at this time of year.

But the good news? With just two weeks to go, you can completely change the way your dog copes, behaves, and feels during the festive season. In this episode, I’m walking you through the brain science behind Christmas overwhelm, the real reasons dogs ‘misbehave,’ and the simple but powerful training strategies that will help you create the calmest, easiest Christmas you’ve ever had with your dog.

This is the episode you’ll want to save, share, and come back to every festive season; it’s packed with practical tools, nervous system insight, and lifestyle tweaks that make a HUGE difference in a short space of time.

Download your FREE Christmas Cheat Sheet HERE.

• Why Christmas is a perfect storm for canine dysregulation (and what’s really happening in your dog’s brain)
• Simple two-week nervous system regulation strategies to implement now
• How to create a ‘Christmas Sanctuary Space’ that prevents overwhelm before it starts
• The one type of walk that sets your dog up for calmness - and the one that secretly sabotages it
• How pattern games can instantly reduce arousal and build predictable calm
• What to do when your dog barks at visitors (and why shouting never works)
• A visitor arrival routine that stops jumping, barking, and chaos
• How to prevent food stealing without micromanaging your dog all day
• Bedtime routines that help anxious or unsettled dogs relax during the festive season
• A real-life walkthrough of what a calm, regulated Christmas Day with your dog can look like

💻 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! 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!

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!

Does your dog drag you down the street like you’re in a sled race you didn’t sign up for? You’re not alone… lead pulling is one of the most common struggles dog owners face, and it’s not about dominance, stubbornness, or your dog trying to be the boss. It’s simply that dogs move faster than we do - and walking nicely beside a human just doesn’t come naturally.

In this episode, I’m breaking down how to truly transform your on-lead walks, with science, strategy, and empathy. You’ll discover how to build calm, connection, and cooperation step by step, so your walks become the joyful experience they’re meant to be.

• How to set your dog up for success before you even leave the house, from desensitising the lead and harness to creating calm, focused exits.
• The three key concepts behind beautiful lead walking: proximity, focus, and impulse control, and how to grow them through fun, practical games.
• Why it’s essential to have a clear system that tells your dog when it’s time to focus vs. when they’re free to explore (and how to set this up with your gear)
• Quick, powerful ‘get back on track’ exercises for when your dog’s brain goes walkabout mid-walk
• The truth about why dogs pull, and how understanding their natural movement and motivation changes everything
• Mindset shifts that make lead training less stressful for you, too.
• Why some dogs need a bigger lifestyle adjustment, and how exercise, enrichment, and off-lead freedom can help solve the root cause of pulling.

Discover how to build your dog’s focus, connection, and responsiveness with my 21-Day Engagement Training, the science-backed program designed to transform your relationship with your dog from distracted to devoted.

👉 Click here to explore the 21-Day Engagement Training and use code PODCAST10 for 10% off!

📱 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!

In this episode, we dive into one of the most empowering truths in dog training: your dog’s personality isn’t set in stone - it’s plastic. Every moment, every experience, every choice you make together is literally shaping who your dog becomes.

You’ll discover how genetics, environment, and training all interact to form your dog’s unique temperament, and how neuroplasticity - the brain’s incredible ability to adapt and rewire - means change is always possible.

If you’ve ever felt stuck with your dog’s behaviour, this episode will reignite your hope and show you exactly how to help your dog evolve, one small, consistent step at a time.

• The science of neuroplasticity and what it means for your dog’s behaviour
• The difference between temperament and personality, and why that distinction matters
• How environment, reinforcement, and your energy continually shape who your dog becomes
• Practical ways to help your dog grow calmer, braver, and more adaptable
• Why ‘slow is fast’ when it comes to real, lasting behaviour change
• How your mindset directly influences your dog’s progress

Find science-backed online training courses, guides, and resources at www.listendogtraining.com

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

📱 Let’s connect!

Follow me on Instagram and TikTok → @listendogtraining

🎧 Love the podcast? Share this episode with a friend who thinks their dog is ‘just stuck that way’... and let’s bust that myth together!

This week, I want to take a look at one of the most iconic animal behaviourists of all time - Jane Goodall - and how her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees can transform the way we understand and train our dogs.

I’ve lovingly labelled it ‘The Goodall Effect’… how seeing your dog through the ethologist’s eye can help you connect more deeply, observe more effectively, and transform behaviours with empathy, curiosity, and science-backed strategies.

From understanding your dog’s body language to fostering engagement and emotional regulation, this episode is packed with practical insights to elevate your relationship with your canine companion.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Jane Goodall’s observational methods can be applied to understanding your dog’s behaviour
• Why curiosity and empathy are more powerful than control in dog training
• Practical exercises to develop your ‘ethologist’s eye’ and notice subtle cues in your dog
• How emotional regulation and trust build the foundation for lasting behaviour change
• Strategies for engagement that strengthen your bond and make training joyful
• How to anticipate reactive behaviours before they escalate
• The science behind observation, mirror neurons, and empathy in dogs and humans

💻 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

Check out my Reactivity Training Program Here.

Check out my 21 Day Engagement Training Course Here.

📱 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!

In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating connection between a dog’s emotions and their behaviour... and why it’s a two-way street!

You’ll learn why sometimes a dog’s behaviour isn’t just a result of their emotional state, but actually drives the emotion itself, creating self-reinforcing loops of stress or reactivity.

I’ll break down the science behind this, share practical examples from real-life training, and give you actionable strategies to help your dog regulate their emotions while building calm, confident behaviours.

Whether you’re dealing with reactivity, anxiety, or just want a deeper understanding of your dog’s mind, this episode is packed with insights you can start applying today.

• How emotional arousal shapes your dog’s behaviour, and why it’s more than just naughty behaviour
• How a dog’s own reactions can escalate or maintain their stress, creating a feedback loop
• Why early intervention and behavioural redirection can be just as powerful as calming the emotion
• Practical, science-backed strategies to interrupt reactive loops and guide your dog to calmer choices
• How to recognise pre-reactive signals so you can act before behaviours escalate
• Ways to build emotional resilience in your dog through consistent, positive training

💻 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

Explore my downloadable Reactivity Training Program here.

📱 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!