"Adopt don't shop" is one of the most repeated phrases in the dog world. But what if it's part of the problem?

In this episode, Max makes an argument that will surprise, and possibly frustrate, some of our listeners. As a dog trainer and behavioural expert, he believes that if everyone bought their dog from a reputable, ethical breeder, we would actually see fewer dogs ending up in shelters and fewer dogs being put down. It's a viewpoint plenty of people won't like, and Max knows it, but in this episode he lays out exactly why he thinks this way.

Jack, who has always adopted his dogs from rescues puts to Max the questions that many listeners who disagree with this position will be shouting at their speakers, from puppy farms and backyard breeders to the dogs already sitting in shelters right now waiting for a home.

Whichever side of the debate you're on, this one might make you think.

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 Insurance You can learn more at knose.com.au. ssued by

Pacific International Insurance.

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

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 episode is brough to you by the team at knose Pet Insurance You can learn more at knose.com.au. ssued by

Pacific International Insurance.

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

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 Insurance You can learn more at knose.com.au. ssued by

Pacific International Insurance.

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

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 leash reactivity, barrier reactivity, and over-arousal, explaining what each one actually looks like and why dogs end up there in the first place.

You'll learn how to spot the early warning signs before your dog tips over threshold, the common triggers most owners overlook, and why punishment usually makes things worse.

Whether you're living with a reactive dog or just want to understand what's happening when you see one on the street, this episode will give you the tools to look at reactive behaviour with fresh eyes, and a lot more empathy.

Need help? reach out to Max and his team today.

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 Insurance You can learn more at knose.com.au. ssued by

Pacific International Insurance.

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

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 Rewire, this conversation focuses on the exact checks, protocols, and first steps he uses with clients dealing with reactive dogs every day.

If your dog barks, lunges, overreacts to people, dogs, or the environment around them, this episode will help you understand why it’s happening and more importantly, what you can start doing about it.

The goal? Less stress, more confidence, and building the relationship with your dog you’ve always wanted.

This episode is brough to you by the team at knose Pet Insurance You can learn more at knose.com.au. ssued by

Pacific International Insurance.

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 Insurance You can learn more at knose.com.au. ssued by

Pacific International Insurance.

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

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, stiff flag that signals arousal or warning. He covers the subtle signs owners often miss, what to watch for when dogs meet, and the red flags that suggest your dog isn't as comfortable as you think.

Whether you've got a new puppy, a rescue settling in, or a dog you've lived with for years, this episode will change the way you read your dog. Because once you know what the tail is really telling you, you can step in before a situation escalates, and build a stronger bond with your dog along the way.

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 Insurance You can learn more at knose.com.au. ssued by

Pacific International Insurance.

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

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 was advertised as a French bulldog, only to be greeted by a 40kg dog at the door. It's a reminder that size, energy levels, and temperament can be wildly different from what you've been told.

This isn't an attack on rescue organisations, who are doing some of the most important work in the dog world. It's a call for prospective owners to ask questions, meet the dog properly, observe behaviour, and be honest with themselves about what they can handle. Because the best outcome for a rescue dog is a home that stays its home.

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 Insurance You can learn more at knose.com.au. ssued by

Pacific International Insurance.

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

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 his own clients. Owners who'd tried everything. Dogs whose lives were getting smaller by the week because they couldn't be trusted off lead, couldn't pass another dog without lunging, or couldn't be left alone with the family cat. Max shares what brought these owners to the e-collar, what the transition actually looked like, and how the tool reshaped not just the dogs' behaviour but the entire relationship between dog and owner.

If you've spent the series wondering whether an e-collar could ever be right for your dog, this episode gives you the honest, lived-in answer that no training manual can.

Real owners. Real dogs. Real change.

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 Insurance You can learn more at knose.com.au. ssued by

Pacific International Insurance.

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

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 command, the difference between a correction and a reaction, and the common mistakes that turn a useful tool into a confused dog. If you have ever wondered when to make that jump from conditioning to actual corrections, this one is for 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 Insurance You can learn more at knose.com.au. ssued by

Pacific International Insurance.

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

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-collar for off-lead reliability, recall, or general obedience, this episode gives you a solid understanding of how the introduction phase should look.

A quick but important note: the e-collar is a fantastic tool when used correctly, but it's not a shortcut or a fix-all. We strongly recommend seeking guidance from a qualified, experienced professional trainer before introducing one to your dog. Used properly, it can transform your relationship with your dog. Used incorrectly, it can do real harm. Please always do your research and get hands-on professional support.

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 Insurance You can learn more at knose.com.au. ssued by

Pacific International Insurance.

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