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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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Emotional Contagion: Why Your Dog Feels What You Feel
In this episode, I’m diving deep into the fascinating science of emotional contagion between humans and dogs, and sharing practical ways to keep your energy balanced so you can keep showing up for your dog… even when motivation is low!
This episode is equal parts science, mindset, and real-world strategy, designed to help you feel inspired, grounded, and ready to make this season count for your dog’s training success.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The neuroscience of how dogs synchronise with our emotions, stress levels, and energy
Why your mindset and emotional state can make or break your training sessions
How seasonal shifts in mood and motivation affect your consistency - and what to do about it
Simple, science-backed strategies to keep your own energy cup full as the nights draw in
Practical training ideas for indoors and outdoors to maintain progress through autumn and winter
How small, consistent efforts now build the springtime dog you’ll be proud of later
💻 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!
Leash up your dog, hit the pavement, and tune in to The Walk & Talk with award-winning dog trainer Lisa Burton. In each episode, Lisa pulls back the curtain on dog behaviour, sharing the real, no-nonsense strategies for tackling everyday challenges and achieving lasting, positive results. No fluff, no gatekeeping—just practical tips and expert advice that makes dog training fun, accessible, and achievable for every dog owner.
Ireland