How to Build Food Motivation from the Ground Up: Dog Training Unlocked

Listen Dog Training: The Walk & Talk

Is your dog the kind that turns their nose up at treats during training? Do you feel stuck because everyone says to ‘just use food’… but your dog couldn’t care less?

In this deep-dive episode, I unpack one of the most misunderstood training challenges: food refusal.

Because here’s the truth: your dog probably is food motivated. What’s actually getting in the way is often a mix of emotional state, stress chemistry, and misunderstood arousal.

This episode will change the way you look at your dog’s behaviour, help you understand the real reasons they might not engage with food, and give you science-backed strategies to transform your training approach - without blame, frustration, or gimmicks.

🧠 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why ‘not food motivated’ is usually a symptom - not a trait
• How stress, arousal, and cortisol shut down appetite and engagement
• The neuroscience behind your dog’s shifting motivation
• What to do when your dog won’t take food outside
• The difference between high arousal and true engagement
• Simple, practical strategies to build food motivation from the ground up
• How to choose the right food for your dog’s emotional state
• Why food refusal is a powerful communication cue - not a training failure

💻 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!