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Negativity bias and recency bias might sound like something from a psychology lecture, but they could be the hidden reason your dog's reactivity keeps coming back. It's easy to think one scary encounter won't matter if your dog has had plenty of good ones. The truth is, dogs are wired to hold on to the bad stuff, and the most recent experience often carries the most weight. In episode three of our Reactivity Unpacked mini-series on The Dog People Podcast, Jack and Max dig into how negativity bias and recency bias affect our dogs, where they come from, and why they can quietly undo weeks of good work. Max shares practical ways to avoid these biases taking hold in the first place, how to spot the signs that they're already shaping your dog's behaviour, and how to start working with your dog to turn things around. Whether you're living with a reactive dog or just want to set your pup up for success, this episode will change the way you think about every walk, every greeting, and every setback. 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.

Ever wonder why your dog is a perfect angel off-lead but transforms into a reactive nightmare the moment you clip on their collar? Or the opposite - fine when free but loses it on the lead? In this episode of Reactivity Unpacked, Max breaks down exactly what's happening: barrier frustration. What starts as simple excitement to greet other dogs can escalate into frustration and, if left unchecked, aggression. The culprit often lies in what happened during puppyhood. Too many leash greetings early on can wire a puppy's brain to expect and demand interaction at the end of that lead. But here's the thing - avoiding leash greetings altogether is part of the solution. And then there's the curveball most people miss: a bad doggie daycare experience can create the exact same problems when your dog comes home. We're diving into why these patterns develop, how they escalate, and crucially, what you can actually do about it. If your dog's behaviour changes depending on what's attached to their collar, this episode 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.

Jack's old mate, comedian Dave Hughes, posted a video of his rescue dog Ginger having a very determined go at his drywall - and we couldn't resist bringing it to the show. Turns out, there's a lot to unpack when a dog decides your house is their personal demolition site. In this bonus episode, we dig into why dogs become destructive in the first place, what's actually driving that behaviour, and practical stuff you can do to stop it before your walls become snacks. Max jumps in with some of the funniest (and most questionable) things he's seen dogs destroy across his years of training - and trust us, Ginger's drywall ambitions don't even crack the top five. If your dog is a destructive nightmare, or you just want to hear some absolute corkers about what dogs can do when nobody's watching - this one's worth a listen. 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.

We've learned so much about giving our dogs enrichment and meeting their breed-specific needs - but have we gone too far the other way? Many dogs now live in a constant state of stimulation, always doing, always going, always needing more. In this episode, Jack and Max sit down with Sarah from @TheHumanandTheHellHound to explore one of the most overlooked skills in dog training: teaching your dog how to slow down, switch off, and do absolutely nothing. We dig into how your dog's nervous system works, why so much stimulation can actually create anxious, dysregulated dogs, and why teaching your dog to regulate isn't about restriction - it's about balance. Sarah walks us through real-world situations where you can start building this skill with your dog right now. If your dog is always in motion, always wanting more, or always looking for the next thing - this one's 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.

Today we have a special guest in the Dog Pod HQ studio! Sarah from @TheHumanandTheHellHound is going to be hanging out with us for a couple of episodes to talk about her over 20 years of experience working with dogs, with many years of that experience going to working with RED ZONE dogs, the dogs that most of the world gives up on. Sarah loves nothing more than saving them from euthanasia. Sarah is so knowledgeable on so many subjects, including our dogs and their nervous system and why it's so important to help our dogs learn to regulate theirs. Do you have a dog that can't relax? Have a dog that won't switch off? Can't take your dog for a coffee or to lie on the beach and chill? Then these episodes are a MUST LISTEN! 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 todays episode we take your questions from the Dog People Podcast facebook group! We handle some issues with a Kelpie who's decided that the bedroom is the only place to train and we tackle the question on Dog food, whats good and whats worth skipping! 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.

How close can your dog get to their trigger before they tip over the edge? That distance is called threshold, and understanding it might be the single most useful thing you can learn about your reactive dog. In episode two of our Reactivity Unpacked mini-series, Max explains exactly what threshold means and breaks down his approach to working with it, using his method of green, yellow and red zones. He walks through each zone in detail, what it means for your dog, and the signs you can watch for to work out exactly where your dog's zones sit. From there, Max covers controlled exposure and how to use it to make real progress. Why repeatedly pushing your dog into the red zone sets your training back, but also why keeping them permanently tucked away in the green zone means they never learn to cope at all. The sweet spot is somewhere in between, and this episode shows you how to find it. Whether your dog barks and lunges at other dogs, people, bikes or anything else, this one will help you read the signs earlier and set your dog up to succeed. 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.

Is your dog hitting the roof at the sight of another dog, a passing car, or an unexpected sound? You're not alone. In this mini-series, we're pulling back the curtain on canine reactivity - exploring what it really is, where it comes from, when it shows up, and most importantly, what you can do about it. Join Max and me as we dig into the nitty gritty of reactivity in all its forms. Whether your dog is a leash-reactive lunger, a noise-sensitive nervous wreck, or something in between, this series will give you the tools and understanding to make real changes. Episode 1: Trigger Stacking - Why Your Dog Loses It (And It's Probably Not What You Think)Your dog was fine five minutes ago. So why did they absolutely lose it at that squirrel? The answer might be trigger stacking - and it's one of the most misunderstood concepts in dog behaviour. In this episode, Max breaks down what trigger stacking actually is, how to spot the signs that it's building in your dog, and practical strategies to prevent and manage it. Understanding this one concept could be the missing piece in your reactivity puzzle. 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.

With Jack away on Holiday Max is flying solo this episode and taking you through his origin story. How he found himself as the highest rated dog trainer on the Gold Coast! so grab a coffee, tea or you're favourite bevvy sit back and get ready for story time! 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.

Walk into any pet shop and you will find walls of leashes, harnesses and gadgets all promising to fix your dog's walking woes. But do you actually know what any of it was designed to do? In this episode, Max breaks down the world of dog equipment and the original purpose behind the tools we clip onto our dogs every day. We take a close look at harnesses, what they should and should not be used for, and how clever marketing has convinced so many owners that a harness will stop their dog pulling, when in reality it was designed to do the complete opposite. Max also shares how he approaches equipment as a trainer: starting with the least aversive tool and working up until he finds the right fit for each individual dog. Because not every piece of equipment suits every dog, and choosing the wrong one can do real damage to the relationship you share. This is not a deep dive into any single tool. It is a big picture chat to help you understand what equipment is built for, how dogs tolerate different tools, and how to make better choices for your own dog, with a particular focus on the different types of leashes. In upcoming episodes we will dig into individual tools one by one. 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.

AI is everywhere, and now it's coming for dog training. In this episode, Max reveals a project he's been working on: an AI version of himself. Built on his own ideas and training techniques, it even sounds like him. It's designed as a helpful tool for his clients, meaning if Max isn't immediately available, they can still get guidance that's true to his methods rather than turning to random and often conflicting advice online. But before you hand your dog's training over to a chatbot, there's an important conversation to be had. Jack and Max dig into the pros and cons of AI in dog training, and Max is clear about one thing: this technology should never replace a real trainer who can see your dog, read their body language and understand what's actually driving their behaviour. AI can be another tool in the bag. It should never be the whole toolbox. Whether you're excited about this technology or sceptical of it, this episode will help you understand where AI can genuinely help with your dog, and where it absolutely can't. 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.

Today is a BONUS Q&A episode thanks to the legends and KNOSE Pet insurance, It's time to open the inbox, because this week Jack and Max are answering your questions. First up, a dog whose world has been turned upside down by a house move. Since arriving in the new home seven months ago, this pup can't cope with being left alone, and the separation anxiety is getting worse. Max explains why a change of environment can rattle even a previously settled dog, and lays out the potentiaal ways in which to combat the issue of seperation anxiety. Then, a tougher one. A working dog has started showing signs of aggression and resource guarding, and the owner is understandably worried about where this is heading. Max breaks down what's really driving this behaviour and what needs to happen right now before it escalates any further. If you've got a question for a future Q&A episode, get in touch, your dog dilemma could be next. Join the facebook group now :) 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.

"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.