The Dog People Podcast

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!