Samantha King, a dog trainer and psychologist at Therapy Dogs Australia, challenges industry norms by advocating for a practical, role-specific approach to working dog training, contrasting with the generalised recommendations often made by her industry member organisation.

Working dogs play crucial roles, such as in search and rescue, police work, or providing assistance to individuals with disabilities. These tasks require a unique blend of intelligence, physical abilities, and sensitivity. The bond between dog and handler is integral to the success of the mission.

However, a one-size-fits-all training approach is inadequate. Customised training programmes are crucial for maximising the dog’s potential and effectiveness in its role. Samantha’s work aims to highlight the need for a more realistic and practical training approach.

Samantha’s frustration stems from the industry member body’s failure to recognise the unique challenges and requirements of each specific role that working dogs are placed in. Their lack of flexibility and adaptability in their recommendations can hinder the dog’s performance and, ultimately, the success of the mission.

As we continue to explore innovative approaches in the field of working dogs, it’s evident that customised and realistic training programmes are vital. Working dogs have the potential to make a significant impact in various professional settings, but this is only possible if we allow them the opportunity to reach their full potential through the right training and support.

Further details

looking for great dog trainers and supporters of the canine paradigm? Below is a vast array of people and business’s who stand by us, donate to our running costs and do great things for the canine community.

Glenn runs and has almost everything canine related at, Canine Evolution or Pet Resorts Australia

Pat has a full range of coaching and dog training services at Operant Canine

You can support our show and get extra content right here on our Patreon page. Everything goes into keeping the show running and we love all the wonderful people who are part of that community. If you’re not sure how, just ask us.

You can get our full range of our Merch at our Teespring store here

You can help us by spreading the word amongst the canine community or even suggesting a special guest to interview.

If you need to find out how to listen to our podcast, go here

We have a YOUTUBE channel that you can subscribe to now

If you enjoyed the podcast, please review us on Itunes, spotify and any other podcast directory

Details on joining the IACP can be found here. If you’re not in it you should be! Understand?

Check out Dogs Playing for Life! A rescue process changing dogs lives across the USA

For more details on how to help our friends at Peggy’s Promise, you can find all the details on how to do that on their website. They are our rescue charity of choice.

Support our supporters

Narelle Cooke’s raw feeding guide for dogs here. Narelle has her own podcast on all podcast directories called Natural Health for people and pets. Check it out in person.

Looking for the best, human grade supplement range for your dogs? Check out Canine Ceuticals. You can also see her on Pooches at play with Lara Shannon SHOW SPONSOR

Jason Firmin Einzweck Dog quip SHOW SPONSOR

The motorcycle dog kennel by Rowdy Hound SHOW SPONSOR

Professional dog training services DanKroft K9 SHOW SPONSOR

Daycare and training from the heart dog training SHOW SPONSOR

Dog training all styles in Adelaide Dog Club SA SHOW SPONSOR

Our beloved friend and regular contributor, Birdy O’Sheedy can be found at birdyosheedy.com

HUGE thanks to all our contributing artists. Please support their works

Jane Stuart
Avery Keller
Zoie Neidy

Moments to be proud of was a hard episode for both of us to record.  For Pat it was difficult to relive something that caused a lot of raw emotion.  For Glenn it was a high degree of shock to hear the story.

This story unfolds around a young boy and his mum that Pat helped train an assistance dog.  Although it sounds simple enough, it came with some heavy baggage for everyone.

The story is still far from finished, however there have been some incredible breakthroughs, both via a mothers love and Pats persistence and compassion.

Mental illness is a serious issue that has serious implications requiring the right people for treatment.  It also carries a stigma as people don’t know how to behave or what to say.  The best thing you can do though is be supportive and not judgemental.  Learn more about it and how you can better help.

We have done several episode now on mental health and we will definitely do more in the future for both humans and dogs.  This is why having a contact like Birdy O’Sheedy is so helpful and healthy as she understand both fields.

If you don’t feel great and the world is getting difficult, speak to someone.  You’re not a burden.  You’re not invalid.  You have people that love you and people that do want to be supportive.

We would love to hear what you moments to be proud of are too.

We have several episode as suggested that would be worth listening to, to support the above.

Episode 53: A Birdy’s eye view on Anxiety