The Dog People Podcast

If every person did these, 99% of dog trainers would be out of work! Recently Max listed 15 simple things you can do for your dog that can solve 99% of Behavioural issues. In this episode we tackle the rest of Max's list, talking off leash freedom, having rules in the home, using thier nose and more! Need help with your four legged best friend? get intouch with Max at downunderdogtrainer.com This...

If every person did these, 99% of dog trainers would be out of work! Recently Max listed 15 simple things you can do for your dog that can solve 99% of Behavioural issues. In this episode we tackle the first seven of them. Number 1 may suprise you. Need help with your four legged best friend? get intouch with Max at downunderdogtrainer.com This episode is brough to you by the team at knose Pet Ins...

If your dog lunges at other dogs on lead, barks at the postie, or loses the plot at the sight of a skateboard, you're not alone, and your dog isn't bad. They're reactive, and that's a very different thing. In this episode, Jack and Max unpack one of the most misunderstood behaviours in dog ownership. Max walks through the different types of reactivity, from fear-based and frustration-based to leas...

Living with a reactive dog can be exhausting. Walks become stressful, unexpected triggers create anxiety, and over time it can start to impact the relationship you have with your dog. In this episode of The Dog People Podcast , Jack Laurence and Max O’Neil dive deep into one of the most common challenges dog owners face, reactivity. With Max recently launching his new training program, Reactivity...

A wagging tail means a happy dog, right? Not quite. In this episode, Jack and Max bust one of the most widespread myths in dog ownership and explain why misreading the tail can put you, your kids, or another dog in a tricky spot. Max breaks down what different tail positions, heights, speeds, and movements actually communicate, from the loose full-body wag of a genuinely relaxed dog to the high, s...

Rescues do incredible work, but the breed on the listing isn't always the dog you bring home. In this episode, Jack and Max unpack why so many rescue dogs get mislabelled, what that means for unprepared owners, and how a bit of homework before adoption can save everyone a lot of heartache. Max shares a jaw-dropping story from his own experience as a trainer, turning up to help a client with what w...

In the final episode of our e-collar series, Jack and Max move past the theory and get into the real stories. Jack opens up about the day his own dog took off down a highway chasing a motorbike, and the decision that followed to put her on an e-collar. It wasn't a decision made lightly, and he walks through what changed, what didn't, and why he'd make the same call again. Max brings stories from h...

In part two of our e-collar series, Jack and Max get into the part most owners get wrong: introducing corrections. When is your dog actually ready? What does a fair correction look like? And how do you build the foundation that makes the tool work the way it should? We cover the prerequisite skills your dog needs before a correction ever enters the picture, how to layer the stim against a known co...

Thinking about introducing your dog to an e-collar but not sure where to start? In this episode, Jack and Max from Down Under Dog Trainer walk you through Max's proven four-step process for introducing your dog to the e-collar the right way. Max breaks down each stage clearly, explaining what to do, what to avoid, and how to read your dog throughout the process. Whether you're considering an e-col...

Shock collars. Cruel. Lazy training. Painful. Outdated. If you've spent any time in the dog world, you've heard it all when it comes to e-collars. But how much of it is actually true, and how much is recycled myth that refuses to die? In this episode of the e-collar mini series, Jack Laurence and dog trainer Max O'Neil bring the biggest misconceptions surrounding modern e-collars. From the idea th...

Are e-collars really the cruel, outdated tools some make them out to be? In this episode, Jack and Max unpack the truth about e-collars: what they actually are, what trainers use them for, and why they can be one of the most effective ways to give your dog more freedom and you less stress. This is the first instalment of a brand new mini series all about e-collars. Over the coming episodes we'll b...

Oreo and Tommy have lived together for over a decade. Two dogs, one home, one kennel, one sofa -- and for years, not a problem in sight. Then something shifted. Oreo, a 13-year-old cocker spaniel, started showing aggression toward Tommy, a 12-year-old beagle, around food, in their shared kennel, and over the sofa they had spent years sleeping on side by side. Their owners were confused, worried, a...

Before you commit to a dog of your own, there's a way to get the full experience, with expert support, a clear endpoint, and the knowledge that you're changing someone's life. Raising an assistance puppy is one of the most rewarding things a dog lover can do, and the benefits go far beyond the obvious. It's the ultimate test drive for first-time dog owners, a brilliant way to figure out if your ho...

Did you know your dog can learn something permanently from a single experience? Jack and Max dig into single event learning — what it is, why dogs are wired for it, and how it affects everything from fear and phobias to fast, reliable training. Whether you're dealing with a reactive dog or just want to raise a confident one, this episode is essential listening. Need help with your four legged best...

Imagine winning the lottery, no reason to get out of bed, nothing to work towards, everything handed to you. Sounds great, right? For most people, it's actually a fast track to boredom, anxiety, and a total loss of purpose. Your dog is no different. In this episode, we talk about why giving your dog everything could be the worst thing you do for them, and how making them work for it, using their b...

Nobody warns you about the teenage phase. One day your dog is responsive, engaged, and making you feel like the world's greatest trainer and then something shifts. Expert dog trainer Max O'Neil and Jack talk having a teenager! Max explains the science and behaviour behind this challenging developmental window, what your dog is actually experiencing, and the strategies that work when nothing else s...

Quick note for parents – this one's all about dog breeding, so younger ears might lead to some fun dinner table conversations! Yes, really. Professional dog trainer Max O'Neil recently purchased preserved semen from the bloodline of his working Rottweiler Nelson – and honestly, once he explains it, it makes complete sense. Jack and Max get into the why, the how, the cost, and the wider world of ca...

Disclaimer: The advice shared in this episode is general in nature and is intended as a starting point for understanding resource guarding in dogs. Resource guarding is one of the most misunderstood behaviours in dogs — and one of the most common. Trainer Max O'Neil sits down to explain exactly what's going on when your dog growls, snaps or stiffens over food, toys or spaces. The key insight? Your...

Is your dog turning their nose up at dinner? In this episode, Jack shares how his dog Kira suddenly refused to eat — and how a well-meaning fix with sardines may have accidentally created a fussy eater. Dog trainer Max O'Neil breaks down why dogs learn to hold out for something better, the psychology behind picky eating behaviour, and what you should (and shouldn't) do when your dog skips a meal....

Thinking of buying a Groodle or Cavoodle? Dog behaviourist Max Oneil reveals the red flags first-generation mixed breed buyers need to watch for. In part two of our ethical dog breeding series, hosts Jack Laurence and renowned Australian dog trainer and behaviourist Max Oneil from Down Under Dog Trainer talk about the hidden risks of first-generation mixed breeds. Groodles, Cavoodles, and other de...

Is medication the answer for your dog's anxiety, aggression or behaviour problems? Or is it being over-prescribed? In this essential episode, hosts Jack Laurence and renowned Australian dog trainer Max O'Neil sit down with Dr Ingrid Groeger-Stone, a Behaviour Vet from Creature Connections, to discuss everything pet owners need to know about medicating dogs. We explore when behaviour medication gen...

Thinking about desexing your dog? This episode delivers the answers you need from two leading experts who break down the science, myths, and real-world impacts of neutering and spaying. Join podcast host Jack alongside renowned dog trainer Max O'Neil and veterinary behaviorist Ingrid from Creature Connections for an in-depth conversation about one of the most common, yet widely misunderstood, deci...

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 cat...

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...

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. Need help with your four legged best friend? get intouch with Max at downunderdogtra...