Life With Your Dog

Dogs barking at the TV can be a fairly common problem. Interestingly, it is more prevalent with modern TVs as the old-style TVs (before LCDs) were very hard for dogs to actually see the TV picture. Panos goes through how to use COUNTER-CONDITIONING and DESENSITISATION to address this issue. As always, successful dog training comes down to GOOD MANAGEMENT! Set yourself and your dog up for success,...

Responsibility as a dog owner refers to short-medium-long term commitments & obligations when living with your dog. Make time for training & exercise. Source out an appropriate diet. This isn't only for our dogs' survival - it is for them to thrive. Secure your yard and home, and if you need to, make time and energy for good dog training advice in-person to help guide you. Seek out an NDTF-qualifi...

In this episode Panos covers the two types of leadership. One is more direct & authoritative. The other is more about being engaged & a team player with your dog. Panos also explains when to use each style of leadership, as all situations require different forms of motivation. Being clear and consistent are qualities of a good leader. Dogs like to follow strong leaders! Thank you for listening, an...

When walking a dog that is reactive to other dogs & people (or even when walking a puppy) we must have a level of awareness of what's in the environment around us. Be a few steps ahead of your dog so that you can prepare your training technique, avoid a dangerous situation or making a negative experience for your pup. Be proactive in how you wish to prepare your dog to a situation, try not to be r...

In this Q&A episode we have a question from Erika via Instagram. Erika is asking for advice on the over-protective nature of her Cane Corso mix. Topics covered: Have good leash handling, Don't reinforce undesirable behaviour, Set your dog up for success - avoid too much social pressure, Existential food rewards, Be confident and plan for interactions, and  Communicate effectively to people. Thank...

This week we welcomed our first guest! We were very lucky to be joined by Glenn Cooke of The Canine Paradigm. We often reference Glenn & Pat's podcast on this show so it was great to sit down (remotely via Zoom) with Glenn. He is a long-time friend and mentor of Panos.  Glenn has been successfully training people and their dogs for more than 26 years. His expertise ranges from basic obedience and...

Taking a break from our usual Q&A episode, this week Panos sits down by himself to mull over what dogs have taught him in his many years of working alongside these majestic creatures. In these uncertain times that bring increased anxiety, dogs have the ability to take us out of our HEADS and bring us more into our BODIES. Anxiety is a fear of the unknown FUTURE - while dogs can bring us into the P...

This episode comes to you from Coronavirus quarantine! Luke has been unwell so we took precautions and recorded this remotely over the internet. "Punishment" can be a highly controversial topic within the dog training industry. There can be serious animosity between the balanced and force-free communities. However the smart approach is to realise that both can learn from one another and meet in th...

In these times of uncertainty and anxiety, some are forced into lockdown, some are home for self isolation quarantine & others are having to work from home.   What does this mean for our dogs? Panos talks about opportunities for training, exercise and not getting distracted by your dog while working from home.    Maintain structure, but switch up the routine as much as possible. See the opportunit...

This week we discuss the benefits of play, and different styles of play with dogs. A game of tug or fetch can be used to reward behaviours in your training. It becomes a relationship-building exercise to help strengthen your bond. Play also provides the opportunity to teach dogs to follow commands in high states of arousal, which can improve impulse control. Thank you for listening, and please enj...

This week's question comes from Nick. He's asking a question relevant to a lot of people who adopt or buy dogs simply because they "feel bad" for them. Panos dives deep into what are the motivations and mistakes people can make, how to think clearly about purchasing a new dog for the home, and some ways to fix the mistakes that have been made. Thank you for listening, and please enjoy the show! If...

Hot on the heels of one of our MOST POPULAR episodes on REACTIVE dogs (ep08), this week we look at strategies for dealing with FEARFUL dogs. Panos goes through some personal experiences he's had in his almost 10 years as a trainer, and specific strategies to handle a fearful dog. Thank you for listening, and please enjoy the show! If you did, please hit Subscribe and leave us a review or 5-star ra...

Most of us are used to LURING in order to get the dog to do the DOWN command. Here Panos goes through some alternative techniques to achieve the same result without luring!  Thank you for listening, and please enjoy the show! If you did, please hit Subscribe and leave us a review or 5-star rating in the podcast app that you found us on. Find us online >> Panos @ www.noochspooches.com.au >> Luke @...

This episode was designed for current and aspiring dog trainers out there. Some of Panos' favourite methods for staying fresh with your learning, and ensuring you're taking care of yourself! There are lessons in here applicable for all listeners. Please enjoy. Thank you for listening, and please enjoy the show! If you did, please hit Subscribe and leave us a review or 5-star rating in the podcast...

We've all heard this saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. It's often used in reference to people not wanting to, or not feeling able to, learn new things in life. So how true is it in reference to dogs? Panos goes through this question with some real life examples of dogs he's had experience with in the past! Thank you for listening, and please enjoy the show! If you did, please hit Sub...

When training your dog there are a huge number of commands that you could eventually teach to them. Some are more about safety, and then others are more about "tricks" or showing off the animal's skills. However few commands are as important as the three essential commands covered in this episode. Thank you for listening, and please enjoy the show! If you did, please hit Subscribe and leave us a r...

This week's question from our listener Luke is about ensuring that family & friends do not inadvertently reinforce the wrong behaviours in your new puppy. Remember, the first 17 weeks are a CRUCIAL learning & socialisation period for your puppy - meaning any experiences will have a permanent effect on the dog. Panos goes through some tips to ensure these are positive experiences, while also addres...

This episode is focused on defining reinforcement, and the different schedules of reinforcement (how to reward to get the best results in training your dog). Panos also explains the different phases of training, which refers to what level of understanding your dog has of each command. (LINK: ROBERT SAPOLSKY DOPAMINE JACKPOT https://youtu.be/axrywDP9Ii0 )Thank you for listening, and please enjoy th...

Our question this week comes from Matt who asks about how to deal with constant unwanted barking from his 8-month old German Shepherd puppy. Panos goes through some different strategies including how to approach this from a more proactive, versus REACTIVE, angle. Thank you for listening, and please enjoy the show! If you did, please hit Subscribe and leave us a review or 5-star rating in the podca...

This week we sit down to meditate on the various roles that dogs have in our lives. Exactly why do we want to keep these amazing creatures around? The answer may vary for different people. This is an important question to ask yourself... "Why do I have a dog?" Your answer is relevant to the training journey you take with your dog, so you know what it is you intend to teach them and why. Panos and...

This week we had a question from a listener in Lebanon, a gentleman named Sevag, who asked about stopping his dog from licking the ground and/or sniffing other animals' droppings during his walks. Panos goes through several concepts around this topic and the best way to nip it in the bud! Thank you for listening, and please enjoy the show! If you did, please hit Subscribe and leave us a review or...

Bringing your puppy home for the first time can be a very exciting time! Being prepared makes things much easier and will set you and your puppy up for success. Panos & Luke discuss: Setting up an exercise pen & crate Dealing with separation distress Puppy proofing inside & outside Teaching your pup how to learn Biting (mouthing) & destructive behaviour. Thank you for listening, and please enjoy t...

It's that time of the year for family getaways, and if your dog can't join in, a friend may have volunteered to look after the pooch. Things to consider before taking on the responsibility are: Making sure the dog gets along with the other dogs it's starting with or is good with the rest of the family. That there is adequate space for the dog or extra dogs and the property is secure. Regular exerc...

In this week's episode Panos and Luke discuss the differences between "adopting" or "rescuing" a dog (the quotation marks are there for a reason), and purchasing a puppy from a breeder. There is no better or worse decision, it is more about weighing up the differences to better understand which is best for you and your individual situation. Thank you for listening, and please enjoy the show! If yo...

Today's question comes from Nicholas, who is wondering if it is possible to legally walk his dog off-leash, or to have it certified for doing so. Panos answers by talking about the dangers of dogs being off leash in public, why there is no certification for off-leash dogs, and how to set a good example for others. Any questions you would like Panos to answer, please send us a message. Thank you fo...