Listen Dog Training: The Walk & Talk

Reactivity training isn’t just about stopping barking or lunging - it’s about understanding how your dog’s brain learns, and knowing exactly when to give them space to make a choice… and when to step in and support them. In this episode we break down one of the most misunderstood parts of reactive dog training: the balance between choice-based disengagement and preventative management. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should let your dog ‘look then look away’ or whether you should interrupt, block, or move them away, this episode will finally give you clear answers, rooted in real behavioural science. You’ll walk away understanding the brain pathways, the emotional processes, and the learning outcomes behind each approach, and you’ll know exactly how to choose the right strategy for your dog in your moment. Whether your dog is early in their training journey or already developing self-regulation skills, this episode will help you train with confidence, nuance, compassion and success. Check out my full Reactivity Rehabilitation Programme here. 👈 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why a dog’s ability to ‘choose calm’ depends on specific neurological pathways How the prefrontal cortex and amygdala influence reactive behaviours The benefits of voluntary disengagement (and when it becomes counterproductive) How management prevents rehearsal… and why rehearsal matters so much How to assess your dog’s arousal level in real time so you always choose the right strategy When to let your dog look, observe, and process… and when stepping in is the kindest option Why both strategies are essential - and how to blend them seamlessly on the same walk How to build a long-term, resilient, regulated dog who can genuinely cope in the real world 💻 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!

I’ve always believed the week between Christmas and New Year has a magic all of its own - and it’s the perfect pocket of the year to imagine what life could look like… especially life with your dog! So this week, we’re diving into how to design a year of success with your dog in 2026. Whether you’re dreaming bigger, wanting more consistency, or feeling ready to create a calmer, happier home for both you and your dog, this episode will give you the clarity, mindset shifts, and practical strategies you need. You’ll discover how to reflect intentionally, choose the right goals, and build a training plan that fits your real life, all while reconnecting with the joy and magic of having a dog by your side. 👉 Check out my Digital Dog Training Planner here if you need support setting goals, and designing a training plan that works. 👉 If you’re not sure where to start, my Design Your Own Dog Training Pack will walk you step-by-step through creating a game plan to transform problem behaviours. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why this magical ‘in-between’ week is the perfect time for big-picture dreaming How to use the Dog Owner’s Wheel of Life to understand where your focus should be The power of choosing goals that are both realistic and hopeful What makes a training plan truly effective (and why most fail) How to pick exercises tailored to your dog and lifestyle The mindset shifts that make consistency effortless Ways to bring more joy, love, and connection into life with your dog How to set yourself up for a successful and fulfilling 2026 💻 Want to dive deeper into transforming your dog’s behaviour with science-backed strategies that actually work? Check out all 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!

Multi-dog households can be magical… or they can be chaotic, stressful, and full of tension. In this episode, I’m taking you on a deep dive into everything you need to know to make life with multiple dogs work beautifully. We’ll cover how to set up your home for harmony, choose the right dog to join your family, manage different personalities and energy levels, and prevent common multi-dog problems before they escalate. Whether you’re thinking of adding a second dog, or you’re already juggling two (or more!) canine companions, this episode is packed with science-backed strategies, practical tips, and insights that actually work. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to decide if a multi-dog household is the right choice for you and your current dog What to consider when choosing a second (or third) dog, including energy, play style, and temperament How to introduce a new dog gradually to prevent stress, tension, or conflict The core training foundations each dog needs individually and as a group for a harmonious home How to meet different dogs’ needs without burning out Common multi-dog problems - like resource guarding, bullying, over-arousal, and covert stress - and how to prevent them Long-term strategies to maintain balance, peace, and wellbeing in a multi-dog household 💻 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!

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. In this episode, you’ll learn: 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. In this episode, you’ll learn: 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 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 supports more people to train with confidence, clarity, and joy!