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The Positive Belgian
The Positive Belgian Podcast is your go-to place for understanding, training, and living harmoniously with the brilliant, sensitive, occasionally dramatic Belgian Shepherd. Hosted by Belgian Shepherd Specialist and behaviour consultant Natasja Lewis, this podcast blends expert training advice with real-life stories, practical guidance, and plenty of breed-specific insight.
Whether you share your life with a Malinois, Tervueren, Groenendael, or Laekenois, you’ll learn how to build focus, confidence, engagement, and calm using positive, reward-based training methods that actually work for high-drive, high-sensitivity dogs.
Each episode dives into topics like raising a Belgian puppy, navigating the teenage tornado phase, preventing reactivity, managing high arousal, building brilliant recalls, and understanding what makes Belgians tick. It’s equal parts education, empathy, humour, and “oh thank goodness, it’s not just my dog!”
New episodes every two weeks, with the occasional guest from the dog training world.
If you love your Belgian but sometimes feel overwhelmed, confused, or just want to do right by them, you’re in the right place.
The Positive Belgian
Understanding the Belgian Shepherd Brain: Sensitivity, Drive, and Why They’re ‘Different’
Belgian Shepherds are often described as “different” — not because they’re difficult, but because they experience the world in a very particular way. They are intensely observant, emotionally sensitive, and powerful pattern-learners, which is exactly why so much generic dog training advice simply doesn’t work for this breed.
In this episode, we take a deep dive into what’s really going on inside the Belgian Shepherd brain. We explore why they notice everything, why pressure and correction often backfire, and how clarity, predictability, and emotional safety make such a profound difference.
This episode is designed to help Belgian Shepherd owners feel less confused, less self-doubting, and more confident in understanding the dog they live with.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why Belgian Shepherds feel “different” from other breeds
- The role of breed purpose in shaping behaviour and awareness
- Emotional sensitivity and how Belgian Shepherds read their people
- The “watching, judging, scanning” mindset — and why an off-switch often has to be taught
- Overthinking, mental clutter, and the concept of “brain fog”
- Pattern learning as both a strength and a potential pitfall
- Why correction-based approaches can create shutdown or escalation
- Adolescence, hormones, and brain development explained in plain English
- The roles of the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and inhibitory systems like GABA
- Reassurance for owners who feel like they’re getting it wrong
Support and next steps
If you’d like personalised guidance and ongoing support, you can find out more about the Positive Belgian Inner Circle via:
https://thepositivebelgian.co.uk
Please note
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice or a full behavioural assessment.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes — and feel free to share it with another Belgian Shepherd owner who might benefit.
A quick note:
I had planned to release episodes over the Christmas and New Year period, but laryngitis struck just before Christmas, and as my voice started to recover it turned into a nasty cold that made recording impossible. I’m finally back on my feet now and from here on, I’ll be back to releasing episodes fortnightly as planned.
Thank you so much for your patience and for being here.