A no-nonsense approach to dog training, so you never have to yell, "It's OK, he's friendly!"
In this show, hosts Jack Laurence (dog owner and training enthusiast) and Max O'Neil (accredited dog trainer and behaviour expert) from Down Under Dog Trainer discuss everything about the world of dogs and dog training.
When you open social media today, you can’t go far without finding a ‘dog trainer’—and everyone has their own strong opinions on what is ‘right’ and what is ‘wrong’. In this podcast, we take a balanced approach to the subject, looking at training methods from both sides of the fence and giving you the right tools to have the perfect companion you've always dreamed of.
Whats veen better is the only fluff here is from the dogs! as we get straight to point on all the important topics that matter to you!
Got a question, an issue or just need some advice? jump on our provate FB group and ask your question now!
www.facebook.com/groups/dogpeoplepodcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A no-nonsense approach to dog training, so you never have to yell, "It's OK, he's friendly!"
In this show, hosts Jack Laurence (dog owner and training enthusiast) and Max O'Neil (accredited dog trainer and behaviour expert) from Down Under Dog Trainer discuss everything about the world of dogs and dog training.
When you open social media today, you can’t go far without finding a ‘dog trainer’—and everyone has their own strong opinions on what is ‘right’ and what is ‘wrong’. In this podcast, we take a balanced approach to the subject, looking at training methods from both sides of the fence and giving you the right tools to have the perfect companion you've always dreamed of.
Whats veen better is the only fluff here is from the dogs! as we get straight to point on all the important topics that matter to you!
Got a question, an issue or just need some advice? jump on our provate FB group and ask your question now!
www.facebook.com/groups/dogpeoplepodcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Perfection doesn’t exist in dog training and chasing it can suck the fun out of life with your dog.
In this episode, Jack and professional trainer Max talk about the importance of picking your battles. Not every behaviour needs fixing, and not every rule needs to be enforced. The real work is figuring out what actually matters to you.
It's important to break behaviours down into three simple categories:
Jack shares his long-running (and eventually abandoned) battle with Kira jumping on the furniture, while Max talks about living with Nelson and his sneaky licking. Together, they unpack why trying to control every detail often leads to frustration, for both the human and the dog.
The goal isn’t a perfect dog.
It’s a functional, enjoyable life together.
If training has started to feel like a constant fight, this episode will help you step back, reset your priorities, and remember why you got a dog in the first place.
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One of the most common things dog trainers hear is: “He’s not aggressive, he’s just protecting me.”
In this episode, Max O’Neill explains why that explanation is almost always incorrect.
We cover:
• Why dogs don’t “protect” owners the way people think
• How dogs can see owners as a resource, not someone to defend
• Why reactivity often shows up when people approach you
• The uncomfortable truth about what would likely happen in a real emergency
If your dog is reactive, understanding the real cause is the first step to actually helping them.
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Looking for chew toys that can survive a power chewer?
Professional dog trainer Max O’Neill lists his top 6 chew options for dogs that love to chew hard.
This episode is all about:
• Stronger, longer-lasting chews
• Practical buying recommendations
• What works for serious chewers
Simple, useful, and to the point.
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Today we jump back into our series on dog sports and sit down with Dr Ingrid Groeger-Stone from Creature Connections to talk all things mantrailing. Ingrid is a Mantrailing Global Head Instructor and walks us through this fascinating, highly accessible sport for anyone curious to give it a try.
We discuss who the sport is suited to, which dogs tend to thrive in it, and, most importantly, the many positive benefits dogs can gain from taking part.
Check out Dr Ingrid Groeger-Stone and see all about mantrailing by finding her on instagram @creature_connections
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Thinking about getting a mixed-breed dog? In this episode, Max and Jack break down the real science and ethics behind crossbreeding and why not all breed combinations are created equal.
We talk about how physical structure, temperament, and genetic compatibility matter far more than trendy names like “Golden Shepheard” or “designer dog.” When two breeds are mismatched, such as a pug and a Rottweiler, the result can be a dog facing major health, breathing, mobility, and behavioural challenges.
If you’re a rescue owner, breeder, or simply thinking about bringing home a mixed-breed pup, this conversation will give you a clearer understanding of how to make healthy, ethical choices for dogs.
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Got a rescue dog with a name you don’t love or a dog whose name just doesn’t feel right? A lot of owners worry that changing a dog’s name will confuse them or damage the bond.
In this episode of The Dog People Podcast, Jack and Max O’Neil answer one simple question: can you change your dog’s name… and should you? Max explains how dogs actually understand their names, why they don’t attach the same meaning to names that we do, and how a new name can even become a positive fresh start for anxious or rehomed dogs.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it cruel to change my dog’s name?” this episode will put your mind at ease and give you a simple, step-by-step way to do it properly.
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We’re back to our regular programming and diving straight into your questions. Today, Max breaks down dog-food aggression, resource-guarding behaviours around toys, and the crucial difference between true punishment and unintentionally postive reinforcing of a behaviour.
Got a question for us? Join The Dog People Podcast Facebook group and get involved.
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This is another episode in our dog sports series where we are trying to convince more people to do cool things with their dogs! and IGP is certianly one of those sports. It takes dedication and time but can be incredibly rewarding for you and your dog and more importantly FUN!!
In this episode we sit down with Sharonkia Williamson, founder of Clear Canine and one of Australia’s most respected IGP trainers, for a clear and practical look into the world of the working-dog sport.
Sharonkia breaks down the fundamentals of IGP’s three phases — tracking, obedience and protection — and explains why the sport is as much about clarity, control and communication as it is about drive.
We dive into what makes a great working dog and Sharonkia also shares advice for beginners and how everyday dog owners can jump into IGP.
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In this extra long Dog pod episode, Jack and Max sit down with Casey from Big Show PSA — a trainer with one of the wildest origin stories you’ll ever hear. Casey has spent years working with animals of all sizes, and his path into dog training and PSA protection sports began in the most unexpected place: training tigers for a movie. When COVID hit and the industry shut down overnight, Casey pivoted and found his purpose in the world of working dogs.
He talks us through PSA protection sport, why he loves it so much and how you can get into it!
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In this episode, Jack and Max are joined once again by the team from Barn Dogs Australia — but this time, they’re heading to the pool! The crew dives into the fast-growing sport of dock diving, a high-energy activity that’s as fun for owners as it is for dogs. From the basics of getting started to training tips, safety, and competition insights, this episode covers everything you need to know to help your dog take the leap. Whether your pup’s a natural swimmer or just loves chasing a toy, dock diving could be their new favourite outlet.
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In this episode of The Dog People Podcast, Jack and Max are joined by the team from Barn Dogs Australia to uncover one of the most exciting and accessible dog sports around — Barn Search!
Learn how this scent-based game taps into your dog’s natural instincts, builds confidence, and strengthens your bond. Whether you’ve got a working breed or a couch companion, Barn Search offers a fun, low-pressure way to engage your dog’s nose and mind. Discover how to get started, what you’ll need, and why this fast-growing sport is perfect for everyday dog owners.
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What makes someone leave a career as a professional triathlete to become one of Victoria’s most respected dog trainers? In this episode, Max and Jack sit down with Jamie, a trainer who started out teaching puppy school classes before helping Petstock build their national puppy program. He shares how he turned his passion into a thriving business, grew a loyal social media following, and the training philosophies that shape his work today.
If you’ve ever thought about turning your love for dogs into a career, this one’s for you.
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In this episode of The Dog People Pod, Jack puts a big question to trainer Max O’Neil: are we contradicting ourselves when we say we shouldn’t let our dogs fail, but also talk about “setting them up for failure”? Max breaks down what these two concepts really mean, why both approaches exist in training, and how to use them in the right context.
Together, Jack and Max explore when failure can actually be a teaching tool, when it can damage trust, and how owners can strike the balance to help their dogs learn safely and effectively.
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In this episode of The Dog People Pod, Jack and professional trainer Max O’Neil dive into a recent video from well-known trainer Zac George, who argues that dogs should be free to “opt out” of training sessions to build stronger trust and bonds.
Jack raised an important question: what happens when your dog decides to opt out in a real-world situation, like chasing a rabbit, deer, or cat? Zac responded, but the conversation sparked a bigger debate.
Together, Jack and Max explore the balance between trust, choice, and safety, agreeing that while dogs need the chance to step back, it’s critical that opting out happens with the handler’s permission, not on the dog’s whim. This episode unpacks why structure matters, how to keep your dog safe in everyday life, and what “choice in training” really looks like.
See the video here
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