Life With Your Dog

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

Panos sits down with renowned trainer Jay Jack for a direct and thought-provoking conversation about the craft of dog training and personal development. Jay breaks down his concept of “windows of opportunity” — explaining that most windows in life are natural… except for “work.” Work is not something that magically presents itself. It must be created, pursued, and stepped into deliberately. The conversation then shifts to one of the most important drivers of growth: mistakes. Rather than avoiding them, Jay explains how mistakes are essential for development. Panos and Jay unpack how trainers — and dog owners — can reconcile their errors, take ownership, and use those moments as fuel for long-term progress instead of shame or stagnation. This is an honest, practical discussion about growth, responsibility, and doing the work — in dog training and in life. Find Jay: www.nldogs.com Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

Panos sits down with Dr Will Magness — veterinarian and founder of 5 Hounds dog food, to unpack some of the biggest (and often most misunderstood) topics affecting dogs today. The conversation explores the three major factors influencing dog health, why Dr Will started 5 Hounds, and the common issues seen in kibble-only diets. It also dives into proper feeding, the link between food and allergies, and the ongoing discussion around early desexing, including ideal timing and possible alternatives. They examine whether dogs are being over-vaccinated, why yearly vaccinations are still commonly recommended, and what a titre test actually is and when it makes sense. This is a balanced, practical conversation, not fear-based, not dogmatic — just honest discussion about diet, development, and long-term health. For anyone serious about raising a healthy, resilient dog, this episode will get them thinking. Find Dr. Will at https://5hounds.com.au/ Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> Luke @ www.instagram.com/itslukebadman >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

In this episode, we’re joined by Jas Whiting founder of Prime Canine to break down the real process of raising and developing high-drive Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd puppies destined for police, military, and corrections work. Jas walks us through what it takes to raise multiple working-line puppies at the same time, laying strong foundations for tracking, bite work, environmental confidence, and complex operational behaviours. All with the goal of producing dogs suitable for working roles by around 18 months of age. We talk honestly about the fun, frustration, stress, pressure, and fulfilment that comes with developmental training at this level, and how critical early decisions are in shaping whether a dog truly suits the role it’s being prepared for. This episode is a must-listen for trainers, handlers, breeders, and anyone curious about what serious puppy raising looks like when the end goal isn’t a pet, but a capable working dog. Find Jas at: www.prime-canine.com Raising a High Drive Puppy video series: www.seriousdogbusiness.com/HDP Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> Luke @ www.instagram.com/itslukebadman >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

Training your dog isn’t about flashy skills or perfect reps in perfect conditions — it’s about reliability in the real world. In this episode, we break down what proofing really means and why so many dog owners get stuck when behaviour “falls apart” outside the training session. We talk about why you started training in the first place, how your lifestyle should shape your dog’s training, and why rushing the process usually backfires. We cover the importance of developing your own communication with your dog, creating consistency across environments, and understanding that some behaviours aren’t “fixed” — they’re managed. Training, at its core, is about learning a shared language and culture with your dog, not blindly following rules forever. Learn the rules first… then earn the right to break them.This episode is a practical reminder that there’s no one right way — you need to find your way with your dog. Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> Luke @ www.instagram.com/itslukebadman >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

Dan returns for round two, and this one goes deep. In this episode, we unpack intrinsic motivation in dogs—from prey drive to play drive—and how those drives differ, overlap, and actually show up in real-world training. Not theory for theory’s sake, but how these concepts matter when you’re working dogs day in, day out. Dan shares lessons learned from years of working dogs, alongside his experience with reactivity in pet dogs. Watching dogs work provides perspective—how dogs think, act, and learn—and that perspective is often missing when people rely solely on what they see online. We also talk context. Techniques, clips, and hot takes on social media mean nothing without experience behind them. Keeping an open mind is easy to say, harder to do—especially when exposure is limited. A strong episode to kick off the year and a big thanks to Dan for joining us again. Find Dan at Hooked On Hounds www.hookedonhounds.com Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> Luke @ www.instagram.com/itslukebadman >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com

Most dog owners walk their dogs every day… and still end up with pulling, reactivity, and chaos on the leash. Why is that? In this episode, Panos and Luke break down the 20/20/20 Rule — a simple, repeatable walking structure that balances discipline, freedom, and training. You’ll learn why the walk should be split into three clear phases: • A structured loose leash walk to set the mental tone • Free time with purpose — including real-world training • A structured return to help your dog regulate and settle This episode explains how to stop turning walks into overstimulation sessions and start using them to build focus, reliability, and a calmer dog at home. If your dog “gets plenty of walks” but still behaves like they’ve had three coffees, this one’s for you. Find us online >> Panos @ www.npdogtraining.com >> Luke @ www.instagram.com/itslukebadman >> www.facebook.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.instagram.com/lifewithyourdogpodcast >> www.lifewithyourdogpodcast.com