Listen Dog Training: The Walk & Talk

How to Set Up a Multi-Dog Household for Success

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 outCommon 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!

Your Christmas Dog Training Plan: Two Weeks to a Calmer Home

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!

How Dogs Learn in Pictures: The Hidden Key to Reliable Behaviour

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!

Why Breed Matters… & Why It Doesn’t: The Art of Adaptive Dog Training

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.
💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:
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
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!

Your Calm Dog Evening Routine: The 5 Steps That Actually Work

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.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🐶 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
🎟️ 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!

The Real Fix for Lead Pulling: How to Turn Stressful Walks into Calm, Connected Adventures

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.
💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:
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.
✨ Want to take this even further?
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!

The Fascinating Science of How Your Dog Becomes Who They Are

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.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
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
💻 Want tailored support to help your dog thrive?
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!

The Goodall Effect: Seeing Your Dog Through the Ethologist’s Eye

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.
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!

The Hidden Way Dogs Fuel Their Own Stress + How To Stop It

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.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
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.
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!

How To Transform Your Dog’s Garden Behaviour

Your garden can be a haven for your dog... or a hotspot for problem behaviours. In this episode of The Walk & Talk, I’m diving deep into the topic of garden behaviour: why dogs act the way they do in their outdoor space, how to set them up for success, and how to use your garden to boost enrichment, fitness, and good habits instead of stress and reactivity.
Whether your dog barks at every passerby, digs up your flowerbeds, or just treats the garden like their personal racetrack, this episode will give you the insight and tools you need to transform your garden into a space that works for your dog, not against them.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why dogs often react more intensely to triggers in the garden than they do elsewhere
The hidden behavioural science behind barking, fence running, and other 'naughty' garden habits
Practical strategies to manage your dog’s garden time so it builds calmness, not chaos
The good (and not-so-good) garden habits you’ll want to reinforce or reshape.
Fun, science-backed training games and activities you can easily introduce outdoors
How to use your garden to boost your dog’s fitness, enrichment, and quality of life
What not to do if you want to prevent problem behaviours from taking root
By the end of this episode, you’ll see your garden not just as a patch of grass, but as a powerful training ground and wellbeing tool for 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
👉 Discover my 21-Day Engagement Training Program here. 
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!