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through the shaky science behind dominance theory, the myth of the ‘alpha dog,’ and the long-lasting impact this outdated ideology still has on modern dog training.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?!)

You’re doing everything right—training consistently, building your dog’s confidence, setting them up for success… and then BAM. An off-lead dog barrels into your walk and turns everything upside down. In this episode of The Walk & Talk, I’m sharing exactly what to do after a negative experience like an aggressive dog encounter, so it doesn’t undo all your hard work.

Whether your dog is a reactive teenager, a nervous puppy, or just sensitive to bad vibes (honestly, same) this episode walks you through my exact “regulation recipe” to help your dog bounce back—emotionally and behaviourally—after a stressful incident.

💛 You’ll learn:

• What to do immediately after an incident
• How to activate your dog’s parasympathetic nervous system (aka calm-the-heck-down mode)
• The simple on-lead strategies that promote healing, not fear
• Why coddling can backfire—and what to do instead
• How to protect your training progress long-term

🎧 Whether you’ve been there before or you just want to be prepared in case, this is a must-listen for every devoted dog owner.

📢 P.S. If you want to take this a step further, grab my Reactivity Training Pack from my website—packed with real-life solutions and stress-free strategies for helping your dog feel safe, seen and supported. It’s available instantly here.

📲 Let’s connect! Follow me for more training tips:

🐶 TikTok: [@listendogtraining]

🐶 Instagram: [@listendogtraining]

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review—it helps so much! And share it with a fellow dog owner who needs to hear this. 🐾🎙️

Thinking about neutering your dog? With so much conflicting advice out there - some say do it early, some say wait, some say don’t do it at all - it’s hard to know what’s actually right for your dog.

In this episode of The Walk & Talk, I’m cutting through the confusion and breaking down the real science behind neutering. We’ll dive into:

🐾 What testosterone actually does to your dog and for your dog 🐾 The real impact of neutering on behaviour and health 🐾 The risks, benefits, and best timing if you do decide to neuter 🐾 The myths, the facts & the crucial things most people don’t consider before making this irreversible decision

Neutering is one of the biggest choices you’ll make for your dog, and I want to make sure you have all the information - not just hearsay or pressure from others - so you can make the best decision with confidence.

Want expert guidance on training your dog before making big decisions like this?

Check out my digital training programmes:

✨ Recall Training Guide: Teach your dog a reliable racing recall! ✨ Reactivity Training Programme: The step-by-step system to help your reactive dog feel calmer and more confident. ✨ Puppy Training Pack: Everything you need to raise your puppy with zero stress, and maximum success

📲 Let’s connect! Follow me for more training tips:

🐶 TikTok: [@listendogtraining] 🐶 Instagram: [@listendogtraining]

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review—it helps so much! And share it with a fellow dog owner who needs to hear this. 🐾🎙️

Crate training—essential tool or unnecessary confinement? In this episode of The Walk & Talk, I dive deep into the hotly debated topic of crate training. I’ll be busting myths, tackling common misconceptions, and breaking down exactly how I approach crate training in a way that makes perfect sense.

From the controversial “Would you put your baby in one?” argument to the real secret behind successful crate conditioning, I’m here to show you how to use the crate as a powerful, positive training tool. Whether you’re pro-crate, anti-crate, or somewhere in between, this episode will give you plenty to think about. Let’s settle the crate debate once and for all!

Want to set your puppy up for success? Grab my Puppy Training Pack here.

Let’s connect:

📲 TikTok & Instagram: @listendogtraining 🎓 Online Training: www.listendogtraining.com

Listen now and get ready for some serious aha moments!

Ever found yourself saying, “I just wish my dog would stop doing that”? Whether it’s counter-surfing, barking at the door, jumping up, or any other behavior that’s low-key driving you up the wall, this episode has you covered. 🎯

Today, I’m giving you my 3-step training formula that works on any problem behavior—without frustration, overwhelm, or unrealistic expectations.

You’ll learn:

✅ How to choose and teach a mutually exclusive behavior ✅ Why management & prevention are just as important as training ✅ How to change your dog’s emotions & associations for lasting results

Plus, I’ll break down the biggest mistake most owners make—and what to do instead!

This episode is packed with actionable steps, expert insights, and a big mindset shift that will change how you see "bad" behavior forever. Hit play and start seeing real changes with your dog today! 🎧🐶

✨ Want my full, step-by-step training programs? Get instant access here: www.listendogtraining.com 📲 Follow me on TikTok & Instagram for daily training tips @listendogtraining 🐶 Need help with a reactive dog? Grab my Reactivity Training Pack here.