What if dog training didn’t leave you feeling anxious, defeated, or like you’re constantly getting it wrong?

In this episode, I’m sharing something that sits at the very heart of my work as a dog trainer - not techniques, not quick fixes, but the emotional experience I want you to have with your dog.

Because how you feel about your dog directly shapes how you train, how your dog learns, and whether progress actually sticks.

We explore why pressure, perfectionism, and constant worry don’t create better behaviour… and what does. I’ll break down the science of learning, nervous system regulation, and engagement, and show you how shifting your mindset can transform both your training results and your relationship with your dog.

This episode is for you if you love your dog deeply, but sometimes feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsure whether you’re doing enough, and you just want training to feel lighter, more joyful, and more sustainable.

• Why behaviour change starts with emotion - for both dogs and owners
• What joy, confidence, and connection actually do to a dog’s brain and learning ability
• The difference between compliance and true engagement (and why it matters)
• How stress and pressure quietly sabotage training progress
• Why nervous system regulation is a missing piece in most training plans
• How to shift from judgement to curiosity when your dog struggles and what you’ll gain
• What realistic progress really looks like (and how to recognise it)
• How your mindset and self-talk directly influence your dog’s behaviour

💻 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!

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. 👈

• 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

📱 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.

• 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

📱 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!