Is your dog bored, hyper, reactive or destructive — even though you thought you were giving them enough exercise and attention? It might not be a behaviour problem... it might be an enrichment mismatch.

In this jam-packed episode, I’m diving into one of the most transformative topics in dog training: breed-specific enrichment. We’ll explore how understanding your dog’s original working purpose can unlock a totally different level of calmness, connection, and trainability.

This isn’t about generic food puzzles or 'wearing them out.' This is about using science, history, and smart training to give your dog the life their brain and body were designed for.

Whether you live with a Labrador, a Dachshund, or a Staffy… this one’s for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why breed-specific enrichment is the missing link for many behaviour struggles
• How unmet instincts lead to frustration, reactivity, and training challenges
• The UK’s most popular dog breeds decoded — and what they really need
• How to create enriching activities that satisfy your dog’s brain and body
• The difference between enrichment and stimulation (and why it matters)
• How to turn everyday moments into powerful outlets for your dog’s natural drives
• The role of structured tasks in preventing over-arousal
• Practical enrichment ideas for Poodles, Labradors, Staffies, GSDs, Dachshunds, and more
• How to be the trainer your dog was bred to need

💻 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! I’d love to hear how you’re using breed-specific enrichment 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!

Is your dog tuned out when it matters most? Do they ignore your cues outside, even though they know it at home? You’re not alone — and the issue isn’t obedience... it’s engagement.

In this value-packed episode, we’re digging into what engagement really means, why it’s the key to joyful, reliable training, and how to become the most reinforcing thing in your dog’s world — without nagging, bribing, or losing your cool.

Whether you’re training a distracted adolescent, building confidence with a reactive dog, or just wanting to feel more connected, this episode is full of science-backed strategies and lightbulb moments to help you turn disconnection into partnership.

🧠 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What engagement really is — and why it’s more important than obedience
• Why your dog might be ignoring you (and how to fix it)
• How dopamine shapes focus, motivation, and connection
• Three powerful exercises to boost your dog’s engagement right away
• How to reinforce proximity, attention, and commitment — every single day
• The mindset shift that turns training into teamwork

🎓 Ready to go deeper?

Transform your dog’s attention, focus, and connection in just three weeks with my brand new 21-Day Engagement Training Course.

It’s on sale until the end of June, and as a podcast listener you can use the code PODCAST10 for an extra 10% off!

💻 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 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!

In this powerful, science-backed episode, we dive deep into one of the most misunderstood challenges in dog training: stress.

If your dog ‘knows it at home’ but forgets everything outside, or seems to shut down, bark, lunge, or completely ignore you in the real world — there’s likely something big happening under the surface. That ‘bad’ behaviour? It’s often the result of cortisol, the stress hormone that literally hijacks your dog’s brain.

This episode is a game-changer if you want to stop feeling stuck, and start understanding your dog on a deeper level.

• What cortisol is and how it affects your dog’s brain and body
• The neuroscience behind why dogs zone out or stop listening
• How chronic stress erodes connection and blocks learning
• Real-life signs that your dog’s stress levels are too high
• Why exposure and pressure can actually backfire
• How to lower cortisol and support your dog’s nervous system
• Actionable strategies to build trust, resilience, and deeper connection

Whether you're raising a reactive dog, supporting a nervous rescue, or just want to be the best possible human for your pup — this episode will leave you informed, inspired, and totally empowered.

Explore my courses, digital products, and freebies at: 🌐 www.listendogtraining.com

📲 TikTok & Instagram: @listendogtraining

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