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:

• Non-negotiables
• Nice to haves
• Doesn’t matter

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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