エピソード

  • Desensitisation vs Counter-Conditioning: The Dog Trainer’s Guide to Changing Behaviour

    Desensitisation vs Counter-Conditioning: The Dog Trainer’s Guide to Changing Behaviour
    2025/10/09
    Dog trainer Max O’Neill breaks down two of the most misunderstood techniques in dog behaviour — desensitisation and counter-conditioning. Learn the difference between the two, how to tell which one your dog actually needs, and why getting it wrong could make behaviour worse. From nail grinders and fireworks to doorbells and car rides, Max explains how to reshape your dog’s emotional response the right way.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    14 分
  • When Failure Helps Your Dog learn

    When Failure Helps Your Dog learn
    2025/10/07

    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.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    12 分
  • Dog Ownership License: Brilliant Idea or Too Much Red Tape?

    Dog Ownership License: Brilliant Idea or Too Much Red Tape?
    2025/10/02
    In this episode of The Dog People Pod, Jack and professional trainer Max O’Neil tackle a controversial question: should people need a license to own a dog? With shelters overflowing and cases of neglect still too common, some argue that adding barriers to entry could weed out those who aren’t truly committed to responsible dog ownership. Others worry it might create unnecessary red tape and punish good owners. Jack and Max dig into both sides of the debate, exploring whether licensing could protect dogs, raise standards, and ensure only serious, dedicated people take on the responsibility of a pet.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    16 分
  • Question time: Night-Time Toilet Troubles & Are Dog Beaches the New Dog Parks?

    Question time: Night-Time Toilet Troubles & Are Dog Beaches the New Dog Parks?
    2025/09/28
    In this episode of The Dog People Pod, Jack and professional trainer Max O’Neil dive into audience questions from the Facebook group. First up: what to do when your dog won’t hold their bladder overnight, cries to be taken outside, and refuses to pee before bed. Then, the guys tackle a hot topic, dog beaches. Are they as chaotic and risky as dog parks, or can they be a safe, enriching outlet for your dog? Tune in for practical tips, honest debate, and a few laughs along the way and we round it out with a question from Jack over his own training with Kira.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    21 分
  • Dog Training Showdown: Jack Challenges Zac George’s ‘Opt Out’ Method

    Dog Training Showdown: Jack Challenges Zac George’s ‘Opt Out’ Method
    2025/09/25

    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    16 分
  • Fixing the Why, Not Just the What

    Fixing the Why, Not Just the What
    2025/09/18
    In this episode, Max and Jack dive into one of the most important lessons in dog training: don’t just stop a behaviour, understand why it’s happening in the first place. From digging to barking to chewing, tackling the root cause can stop unwanted habits from simply shifting into new ones. And when all the possible whys have been explored? That’s when it’s time to step in and deal directly with the behaviour itself.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    16 分
  • Dog Training Standards: Do We Need Laws or Just Better Trainers?

    Dog Training Standards: Do We Need Laws or Just Better Trainers?
    2025/09/18
    Dog training is an unregulated industry but should it stay that way? In this episode, Jack takes the side of regulation after seeing firsthand the harm caused by bad advice, while Max argues that passion, skill, and results matter more than government rules and talks about the damage that regulation could cause to the industry. Together they explore the pros, cons, and possible consequences of regulating the dog training world and could the answer simply be Do We Need Laws or Just Better Trainers?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    15 分
  • Why Puppy School Isn’t Enough to Train Your Dog

    Why Puppy School Isn’t Enough to Train Your Dog
    2025/09/14
    A four-week puppy school might be a great start, but it’s not the finish line. In this episode, Max explains the real role of puppy school, why it should be seen as the foundation rather than the solution, and how ongoing structure and consistency at home are what truly shape a well-behaved dog.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    15 分