Think Your Dog’s Just Being Awkward? You’re Not Alone.

Have you ever found yourself standing in a field, treats in one hand, lead in the other, wondering why your dog is absolutely determined to pretend you don’t exist?

Same here.

One minute they’re your little shadow. The next, they’re ignoring every word, nose down, off on a mission you didn’t sign up for.

It’s so easy to think “I must be doing everything wrong.”

But here’s what I wish someone had told me sooner:

It’s almost never that simple.

This week on the podcast, I sat down with Emma Liddell—psychotherapist, mindset coach, and the kind of person who’s endlessly fascinated by how brains work (whether they belong to humans or dogs).

Emma shared something that really stuck with me:

“I’m interested in brains. I don’t really mind where the brain belongs, to be honest.”

And that’s exactly why this series exists.

What Are the Seven Lenses?

In this first episode, we talk about the seven lenses Emma uses to understand dog behaviour—and why looking through just one doesn’t give us the full picture.

Here’s a little taste of what we cover:

🐾 Evolution and Domestication

Why your dog is wired to survive first and cooperate second.

Emma put it perfectly:

“Behaviour happens for survival. Even if your dog looks like they’d never last five minutes in the wild, those instincts are still there.”

🐾 Genetics

Why up to 40% of your dog’s behaviour might come down to what’s in their DNA—and why even Emma underestimated this with her own dog, Scout.

“I was just seeing him as a dog. I wasn’t considering his breed. I didn’t realise how significant genetics could be.”

🐾 Neurobiology and Endocrinology

The hormones and brain chemicals that drive behaviour—like why your Spaniel’s obsession with hunting isn’t about being naughty, it’s literally about dopamine.

“Predation gives them a dopamine reward. So when your dog stops and stares at a bird, they’re getting a hit of feel-good chemicals.”

🐾 Physiology, Cognition and Emotion, Sociology and Body Language

From how their senses shape their world to why dogs in different cultures are treated (and behave) differently.

It’s Not Just You

One of my favourite moments in this chat was when Emma said:

“I’ve walked away in tears wondering what I’m going to do with my dog.”

If you’ve ever felt the same, this episode is your reminder that you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not failing.

Why We’re Doing This

We’re making this series because too many dog owners feel like they should just “train harder.”

But what if, instead, you started seeing your dog’s behaviour through all these different lenses?

What if you could say:

✨ “Maybe this isn’t about me getting it wrong.”

✨ “Maybe there’s something deeper going on here.”

That shift alone can take so much pressure off.

🎧 Listen to the Full Episode

Tell Us What You Think

Did something in this episode make you feel less alone?

Did you have one of those “Oh, that explains so much” moments?

Leave a comment below or tag us on social.

Your stories remind the rest of the community that it’s okay to share the messy bits.

Because you and your dog deserve understanding, not judgment.