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In this episode of Life With Your Dog, Panos sits down with Joe Dickinson for a deep dive into the art and science of dog behaviour and training.   We explore why it’s important to stop simply labelling dogs as stubborn, dominant, anxious or aggressive and instead start observing the dog in front of us. Behaviour doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and understanding the individual dog means considering environment, arousal, reinforcement history, physical condition and, importantly, the person on the other end of the leash.   Joe also shares her approach to training dog trainers—teaching people not just how to follow a method or apply a technique, but how to observe, think critically and adapt their training based on the feedback the dog is giving them.   We discuss why the same training plan can work brilliantly for one dog and fall apart with another, the importance of understanding the why behind behaviour, and the balance between the science of learning and the art of actually reading and working with dogs.   A great conversation for dog owners and trainers alike about moving beyond labels, looking at what’s actually happening in front of you, and becoming a better observer of your dog. Find Joe at https://www.westernstatesk9college.com/about-us   Panos' book - The Nooch's Pooches Method: A Comprehensive Guide to Training and Living with Your Dog https://amzn.asia/d/f1wzLQK Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

In this episode of Life With Your Dog, Panos sits down with Roger Mayer APM (Australian Police Medal)— former NSW Police Dog Unit Sergeant, instructor and highly experienced working-dog trainer.   Roger spent decades working with police and working dogs, developing an understanding of what makes dogs tick when reliability really matters. His career has included handling and training police dogs, tracking offenders, search work and developing dogs capable of performing under pressure. Roger was awarded the Australian Police Medal in 2012 for his service.   Panos and Roger dive into the world of working dogs and discuss genetics, drive, selecting the right dog for the job, building motivation, obedience, tracking, scent work, pressure in training and the relationship between a dog and its handler.   They also explore what decades of working with dogs have taught Roger about modern dog training — and how lessons developed in the working-dog world can apply to the everyday dogs living in our homes.   There are plenty of stories along the way, but more importantly, plenty of lessons from a man who has spent a lifetime watching dogs work when the stakes are real.   A fascinating conversation about dogs, training, instinct, reliability and trusting the animal on the other end of the lead.   Panos' book - The Nooch's Pooches Method: A Comprehensive Guide to Training and Living with Your Dog https://amzn.asia/d/f1wzLQK Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

Panos is joined by Brent Dry from The K9 Company for a conversation about skill acquisition, generalisation and reliability in dog training.   What does it actually mean for a dog to know something?   Teaching a behaviour is only the beginning. In this episode, Panos and Brent unpack the process of taking a newly learned skill and developing it into something the dog can perform across different environments, distractions and situations — and ultimately, something the owner can rely on when it matters.   They discuss the difference between acquisition, generalisation and reliability, why a dog performing perfectly at home doesn't necessarily mean the behaviour has been fully learned, and how repetition, experience, feedback and appropriate levels of difficulty shape dependable behaviour.   The conversation also goes beyond the dog. Panos and Brent explore skill acquisition from the trainer and owner's perspective — how timing, handling, observation and decision-making develop through experience, and why knowing the theory of dog training isn't the same as possessing the practical skill to execute it.   A conversation about learning, practice, experience and the process of turning knowledge into genuine capability — for both ends of the leash.   Brent Dry — The K9 Company Website: https://www.thek9company.com.au   Panos' book - The Nooch's Pooches Method: A Comprehensive Guide to Training and Living with Your Dog https://amzn.asia/d/f1wzLQK Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

Roger Wallace has been an avid supporter and listener of Life With Your Dog since 2019 — and after all these years, we finally get to sit down and talk dogs. Roger's passion for dog training has grown well beyond simply listening to the podcast. He's immersed himself in the craft, attending seminars, following and learning from different trainers, asking questions, and more recently beginning to offer dog training services of his own in the US. In this episode, Panos and Roger talk about what draws people deeper into dog training, learning from experienced trainers, the value of seminars and watching dogs being worked in person, and how your understanding changes once you start putting that knowledge into practice. We also reflect on Roger's years listening to the podcast, some of the ideas and conversations that have influenced his thinking, and why becoming a good dog trainer is ultimately an ongoing process of learning, experience and getting your hands on dogs. A relaxed conversation between two people who genuinely love talking dogs — and a great opportunity to finally bring a long-time member of the Life With Your Dog community onto the show. Panos' book - The Nooch's Pooches Method: A Comprehensive Guide to Training and Living with Your Dog https://amzn.asia/d/f1wzLQK Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

In the past seven days, Panos has worked with four dogs across three different households that have been declared dangerous by council — something he routinely encounters as a dog trainer.   In this episode, Panos and Luke discuss nuisance, menacing and dangerous dogs, what can lead to a council declaration, and what owners should do when aggressive or unruly behaviour starts becoming a genuine risk.   But a dangerous dog declaration doesn't necessarily mean the story is over.   Sometimes the consequences of an incident are the wake-up call an owner needs. With proper management, training, structure and a commitment to change, the 12 months following a declaration can result in a dog that is far better trained, better managed and safer than it was before.   We discuss taking responsibility before things escalate, what rehabilitation actually looks like, and why the goal shouldn't simply be getting through the order — it should be building a better dog and owner on the other side of it.   Panos' book - The Nooch's Pooches Method: A Comprehensive Guide to Training and Living with Your Dog https://amzn.asia/d/f1wzLQK Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

Does your dog growl when you ask them to get off the couch? Guard their bed? Ignore you inside the house but behave well outside? You're not alone.   In this episode, Panos dives into one of the most common issues dog owners face: a lack of structure at home. Many behaviour problems don't begin on the walk—they begin in the living room. Topics covered: - Why dogs become possessive of furniture and sleeping areas. - Whether dogs should be allowed on the couch or bed. - Why little dogs often get away with behaviours we'd never accept from a larger dog. - How everyday routines shape your dog's behaviour. - Practical ways to create calm, respectful behaviour inside the home. Remember, freedom isn't something we simply give our dogs—it's something they earn through responsibility and good choices. Whether you're raising a puppy or working through behavioural issues with an older dog, this episode will help you build a calmer, more enjoyable home for both you and your dog. As always, thanks for listening to Life With Your Dog. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with someone who could benefit.   Panos' book - The Nooch's Pooches Method: A Comprehensive Guide to Training and Living with Your Dog https://amzn.asia/d/f1wzLQK Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

In this episode of Life With Your Dog, Panos sits down with Brett Bailey, founder of Who's A Good Boy Industries in New York City. Brett is a professional dog trainer whose work blends practical experience with a deep interest in canine cognition, neuroscience, and behaviour change. We explore how dogs learn, the role emotions play in behaviour, why so many owners unintentionally reinforce the problems they're trying to solve, and what it really takes to create lasting behavioural change. We also discuss the unique challenges of training dogs in a busy urban environment, where everyday life provides constant distractions and opportunities for learning. Whether you're a dog owner looking to better understand your dog or a trainer wanting to think more deeply about behaviour, this conversation is packed with practical insights and thought-provoking discussion. Find Brett: www.whosagoodboyindustries.com Listen now and let us know your biggest takeaway. Panos' book - The Nooch's Pooches Method: A Comprehensive Guide to Training and Living with Your Dog https://amzn.asia/d/f1wzLQK Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

Many dog owners say they want their dog's behaviours to change... but are we willing to change ourselves? In this episode, we explore a simple idea that has a huge impact on dog training: if nothing has changed, nothing will change. More often than not, lasting behaviour change starts with the owner, not the dog. We discuss how our daily habits, consistency, timing and expectations shape our dogs' behaviour, and why repeating the same actions while expecting different results only leads to frustration. Diving into the science of learning, looking at how operant conditioning creates the repetitions that eventually become classical conditioning—turning trained behaviours into lasting emotional associations and habits. If you're serious about creating long-term change in your dog, this episode will challenge you to first look at the other end of the leash.   Panos' book - The Nooch's Pooches Method: A Comprehensive Guide to Training and Living with Your Dog https://amzn.asia/d/f1wzLQK Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

In this episode, Panos explores the gap between what people say and what they actually do and why dogs are often the most honest judges of our behaviour. Dogs don't listen to our intentions. They don't care about our excuses. They respond to the patterns we create every day. In this episode: Why actions reveal more than words Why you can't lie to your dog What dogs are actually looking at when deciding who to trust Can dogs tell when we're being fake? What training thousands of dogs has taught us about people Are dogs a reflection of the habits and behaviours of the humans raising them Panos answers listener questions from Nathan, Rebecca and Tom. People hear what you say. Dogs experience what you do.   Panos' book - The Nooch's Pooches Method: A Comprehensive Guide to Training and Living with Your Dog https://amzn.asia/d/f1wzLQK Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

Bringing home a new baby is one of the biggest changes your family will ever experience—and your dog is going through that transition too.   In this episode, Panos, Luke and Sebastian Lemaire discuss how to prepare your dog before your baby arrives, what to do during pregnancy, and how to create a safe and positive relationship between your dog and your newborn from day one.   Topics covered in this episode: • What to do if you're pregnant and already have a dog • How to prepare your dog for the arrival of your baby • Things every expecting dog owner must do before their baby arrives • How to set your dog and baby up for the best possible relationship • Practical safety strategies for newborns around dogs • Why your dog doesn't automatically know your baby is a human • Common mistakes families make when introducing dogs and babies • How structure, management and training can prevent problems before they start   Sebastian also shares details from his new program, SAFE START: How to Introduce Your Dog to Your Baby, designed to help expecting parents confidently navigate the transition and build a safe, positive foundation between their dog and newborn.   Learn more about SAFE START here: https://www.caninesoncue.com.au/   Whether you're expecting your first child, planning for the future, or already have a newborn at home, this episode is packed with practical advice to help your dog and baby thrive together. Listen now and start preparing before your baby arrives.   Panos' book - The Nooch's Pooches Method: A Comprehensive Guide to Training and Living with Your Dog https://amzn.asia/d/f1wzLQK Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

On this episode of Life With Your Dog, Panos talks about the concept of Play, Train & Exercise and why the best sessions with your dog combine all three together. Rather than separating walks, obedience and play into completely different activities, Panos explains how engagement, structure, rewards and movement can all work together naturally in everyday life. From structured walks and tug games to obedience around distractions and building functional communication, this episode explores how to create a more fulfilling relationship with your dog while still meeting their mental and physical needs.   Panos' book - The Nooch's Pooches Method: A Comprehensive Guide to Training and Living with Your Dog https://amzn.asia/d/f1wzLQK Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

In Episode 276, Panos and Luke sit down with Lisa Wray, who spent 16 years working and managing the shelter where Panos has volunteered for over a decade. Lisa shares what it really takes to run a high-functioning shelter—from building a tight-knit team to creating an environment where both staff and dogs can thrive. Her leadership played a key role in improving the welfare of the animals, proving that good people management directly impacts dog outcomes. Drawing from years on the ground, the conversation dives into the realities of shelter life: implementing training systems, understanding behaviour under stress, and balancing structure with compassion. Panos reflects on his 10+ years working alongside Lisa as a volunteer trainer, supporting staff and volunteers in handling and training resident dogs. This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone interested in dog behaviour, shelter work, or what it truly means to lead from the front. Panos' book - The Nooch's Pooches Method: A Comprehensive Guide to Training and Living with Your Dog https://amzn.asia/d/f1wzLQK Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

Most dog owners are accidentally reinforcing bad behaviour on every walk. In this episode, Panos breaks down the biggest mistake - putting the walk on autopilot. Pulling, scanning, and ignoring you all get rehearsed daily without realising. Walks aren’t just exercise - they’re training. Learn how small changes in structure and intention can completely change your dog’s behaviour.   Panos' book - The Nooch's Pooches Method: A Comprehensive Guide to Training and Living with Your Dog https://amzn.asia/d/f1wzLQK Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

Buddy Spohn from Lateral K9 joins Panos and Luke for a deep dive into what really drives dog training success. They unpack how to build true motivation in any dog, why scent work is such a powerful outlet, and how modern social media is confusing more dog owners than it’s helping. Training should always feel like play—and explores what that mindset actually creates in dogs over time. The boys discuss the old adage, you don’t always get the dog you want… you get the dog you need. And what you do with that matters. This episode is a mix of practical insight, real-world experience, and a few uncomfortable truths that every dog owner and trainer should hear. Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

Paul Zubcic from Summerland Dog Training joins Panos to dive into the world of K9 tracking. As a former police K9 handler, Paul shares his real-world experience working tracking dogs and breaks down the fundamentals—what tracking actually is, how dogs follow human scent, and how everyday dog owners can start teaching it themselves. They explore the process of building a reliable tracking dog, common mistakes people make, and how to turn this natural canine ability into a structured skill. Paul also shares some great stories from his time on the job, giving a glimpse into what tracking looks like in real-life scenarios. Tracking is one of the most fascinating skills a dog and handler can develop—and this episode gives you a clear, practical look at how it all works. Find Paul: www.summerlanddogtraining.com Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com