Most dog owners try to teach obedience by jumping straight into commands, structure, and discipline. According to Jamie The Dog Trainer, that approach is backwards.

In this episode, Nate Schoemer sits down with Jamie to break down why obedience often feels difficult, and how trick training, play, motivation, and proper foundations can make training easier, faster, and far more effective.

They explore how engagement, reward systems, emotional conditioning, and drive-building techniques create dogs that actually want to work with you, instead of simply complying under pressure.

If you want reliable obedience, stronger engagement, and training that feels fun instead of frustrating, this conversation will change the way you approach dog training.

🎓 Learn Nate’s Full Training System:
From Novice To Pro: The Ultimate Guide To Dog Training
https://sitstaylearn.com/collections/instructional-videos/products/from-novice-to-pro-the-ultimate-guide-to-dog-training-by-nate-schoemer?rfsn=8100182.cd38c94&variant=50148621582625

🎧 Listen to the Podcast:
https://pod.link/1804414647

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why most owners teach obedience in the wrong order

• How trick training builds engagement and focus

• How reward events make food and markers more powerful

• The role of classical and operant conditioning in training

• Why play matters more than discipline early on

• How confidence and drive affect obedience reliability

• Common misconceptions about tug, play, and resource guarding

• How to build motivation in low-drive dogs

• Why tricks create emotional readiness for obedience

• The foundations needed before addressing behavior problems

• The difference between obedience and true behavior change

WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR:

• New dog owners

• Experienced handlers

• Professional trainers

• Balanced trainers

• Positive reinforcement trainers

• Owners struggling with engagement or obedience

• Handlers working with reactive or fearful dogs

• Anyone wanting a science-based training approach

KEY TRAINING CONCEPTS DISCUSSED:

• Reward Event Theory

• Marker Training

• Engagement Building

• Play-Based Motivation

• Emotional Conditioning

• Reinforcement Schedules

• Counterconditioning

• Trainer Mindset

• Training Philosophy

• Choosing the Right Trainer

FOLLOW JAMIE THE DOG TRAINER:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiethedogtrainer/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamiedogtrainer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jamiethedogtrainer1735
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamiethedogtrainer

FOLLOW NATE SCHOEMER:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nateschoemer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nateschoemer
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nateschoemer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NateSchoemer/
X/Twitter: https://x.com/NateSchoemer
Podcast: https://pod.link/1804414647

Aggression cases don’t fail because of dogs, they fail because owners aren’t trained properly. In this episode, professional dog trainer Austin Laramee joins Nate Schoemer to break down how play-based training, leash communication, and owner education create behavior change that actually lasts.

Austin shares his journey from adopting a shelter dog with no formal experience to working hundreds of real-world behavior cases. Together, they dive into what most owners get wrong, why many training programs fail once the dog goes home, and how play builds confidence, engagement, and impulse control.

This conversation is practical, real-world focused, and packed with takeaways for dog owners and trainers who want better results without gimmicks.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• Why owner education matters more than training the dog alone
• How play builds confidence, engagement, and control
• The biggest mistakes people make with aggressive dogs
• How leash pressure becomes a powerful communication tool
• Why board-and-train programs often fail long-term
• How to structure training for real-life environments

Resources Mentioned:

From Novice To Pro — Nate Schoemer
https://sitstaylearn.com/collections/instructional-videos/products/from-novice-to-pro-the-ultimate-guide-to-dog-training-by-nate-schoemer?rfsn=8100182.cd38c94&variant=50148621582625

Dog Training Decoded — Michael Ellis
https://sitstaylearn.com/collections/instructional-videos/products/dog-training-decoded-by-michael-ellis?rfsn=8100182.cd38c94&variant=51512501371169

Michael Ellis Course Breakdown Article
https://nateschoemer.com/dog-training-decoded-why-every-serious-trainer-should-learn-from-michael-ellis/

Upcoming Live Seminars:

Corpus Christi, TX — January 23–25, 2026
Hosted by Harley & Sergio Dog Training (SK9)
Tickets: https://harleyandsergio.academy/workshop

Peoria, AZ — February 21–22, 2026
Hosted by Kinected K-9 AZ Dog Training
Tickets: https://square.link/u/fUpcbPtG

North Bend, OR — March 13–14, 2026
Working Spot:
https://9ce05e2d-70ad-4316-a25c-0e8363a9306a.paylinks.godaddy.com/nateschoemerworkingspot
Audit Spot:
https://9ce05e2d-70ad-4316-a25c-0e8363a9306a.paylinks.godaddy.com/3059b659-5945-4fc3-b4e7-db5

San Marcos, TX — September 26–27, 2026
Tickets coming soon

Follow Nate Schoemer:
Website: https://NateSchoemer.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nateschoemer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/NateSchoemer
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@NateSchoemer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NateSchoemer
X (Twitter): https://x.com/NateSchoemer

Guest — Austin Laramee (Zero To Hero Dog Training):
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AustinLarameeDogTrainer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zerotoherodogtrainingakron/
Website: https://zerotoherodogtraining.online/
Email: Zerotoherodogtraining@gmail.com

If you’re dealing with aggression, reactivity, or obedience challenges, this episode delivers real frameworks you can start applying immediately — without shortcuts or hype.

Many dog trainers chase trophies. Nate Czarnota trains to a standard.

In this episode, Nate Schoemer sits down with Nate Czarnota of Iron Oak Dog Company to break down what “training to a standard” really means and why it creates more reliable, capable dogs than chasing titles, ribbons, or trends.

They dive into gundog training, obedience under pressure, impulse control in high-arousal environments, and how the same principles apply to hunting dogs, sport dogs, and everyday companion dogs.

This is a systems-level conversation focused on real-world performance, clarity, and reliability, not appearances.

Whether you work high-drive dogs or just want better obedience at home, these principles translate across all training environments.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• Why training to a defined standard outperforms trophy-based training
• How to build impulse control without suppressing drive
• Using obedience as a communication system, not just control
• Reward-based strategies that hold up under pressure
• Why dogs become “collar-smart” and how to prevent it
• How gundogs can succeed both in the field and at home

RECOMMENDED TRAINING RESOURCES

From Novice To Pro – Nate Schoemer
https://sitstaylearn.com/collections/instructional-videos/products/from-novice-to-pro-the-ultimate-guide-to-dog-training-by-nate-schoemer?rfsn=8100182.cd38c94&variant=50148621582625

Dog Training Decoded – Michael Ellis
https://sitstaylearn.com/collections/instructional-videos/products/dog-training-decoded-by-michael-ellis?rfsn=8100182.cd38c94&variant=51512501371169

Nate’s breakdown of Michael Ellis’ course:
https://nateschoemer.com/dog-training-decoded-why-every-serious-trainer-should-learn-from-michael-ellis/

UPCOMING SEMINARS

Corpus Christi, TX — January 23–25, 2026
Hosted by Harley & Sergio Dog Training (SK9)
Friday: Private Lessons (Application Only)
Saturday–Sunday: Workshop (8:00 AM – 5:30 PM)
Working Spot: $350
Audit Spot: $250
Tickets: https://harleyandsergio.academy/workshop

Peoria, AZ — February 21–22, 2026
Hosted by Kinected K-9 AZ Dog Training
Location: The Pitbull Store, Peoria AZ
Working Spot: SOLD OUT
Audit Spot: $250
Tickets: https://square.link/u/fUpcbPtG

North Bend, OR — March 13–14, 2026
Hosted by Campbell K9 University & Daycare
Working Spot: https://9ce05e2d-70ad-4316-a25c-0e8363a9306a.paylinks.godaddy.com/nateschoemerworkingspot
Audit Spot: https://9ce05e2d-70ad-4316-a25c-0e8363a9306a.paylinks.godaddy.com/3059b659-5945-4fc3-b4e7-db5

San Marcos, TX — September 26–27, 2026
Hosted by Pets and Moore, K9 Waterworld
Tickets Coming Soon

WHY THESE SEMINARS ARE DIFFERENT
This is not a massive, anonymous event.
You’ll see real training, coached live, with real dogs, real genetics, and real challenges.

Same framework. Different dogs. Real environments.

GUEST: NATE CZARNOTA (IRON OAK DOG COMPANY)
Website: https://www.ironoakdogs.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironoakdogs
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ironoakdogs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ironoakdogs
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gun-dog-it-yourself/id1475109621

FOLLOW NATE SCHOEMER
Website: https://NateSchoemer.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nateschoemer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/NateSchoemer
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@NateSchoemer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NateSchoemer
X (Twitter): https://x.com/NateSchoemer
Podcast Feed: https://pod.link/1804414647

EPISODE KEY TOPICS
Hunting dog training, gundog obedience, impulse control, reward-based systems, training to objective standards, real-world reliability, high-drive dogs, field training principles, and companion dog performance.

The dog training world is deeply divided, force-free vs balanced training. But what happens when avoiding pressure actually creates more fear, anxiety, and instability in dogs?

In this episode, Nate Schoemer sits down with Justin Rigney, veteran dog trainer and former law-enforcement K9 handler, for an honest, experience-driven conversation about pressure, fear, genetics, and real behavior change.

Justin explains why he doesn’t view pressure as punishment, but as communication, when applied correctly, fairly, and with timing. Drawing from decades of experience working with pet dogs, working dogs, and high-drive behavioral cases, he breaks down how pressure can provide clarity, encourage neutrality, and help dogs move through stress instead of becoming trapped in avoidance or fear.

They also explore how well-intentioned training approaches can unintentionally reinforce fear, why genetics matter long before formal training begins, and why experienced trainers avoid rigid systems in favor of reading the individual dog in front of them.

This conversation is especially relevant for dog owners, professional trainers, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of canine behavior beyond trend-driven or ideological training narratives.

🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why pressure is often unavoidable in real-world dog training

• How fear can be unintentionally reinforced by handlers

• The difference between fair, structured pressure and harmful handling

• Why neutrality can be a powerful emotional state for many dogs

• How balanced trainers blend reward, pressure, and restraint

• Why some reward-only systems struggle under high stress or distraction

• How genetics influence behavior long before formal training begins

🎓 Recommended Training Resource

From Novice To Pro: The Ultimate Guide To Dog Training By Nate Schoemer👉 ⁠https://sitstaylearn.com/collections/instructional-videos/products/from-novice-to-pro-the-ultimate-guide-to-dog-training-by-nate-schoemer?rfsn=8100182.cd38c94&variant=50148621582625⁠🔗

Connect with Justin Rigney

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jrigk9/⁠

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/K9servicesunlimited⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@k9servicesunlimited⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@k-9servicesunlimited136⁠

Website: ⁠https://k9servicesunlimited.com/⁠

🔗 Connect with Nate Schoemer

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/nateschoemer⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nateschoemer⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@nateschoemer⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/NateSchoemer⁠

X (Twitter): ⁠https://x.com/NateSchoemer

Most dog training advice tells owners to keep their dog calm at all costs.
Neuroscience suggests that approach often backfires.

In this episode, Nate Schoemer sits down with neuroscientist and dog trainer Dr. Melanie Uhde to challenge some of the most common assumptions in modern dog training.

Rather than chasing constant calm, this conversation explains why manageable stress, frustration, and challenge are essential for building confident, resilient, real-world dogs.

Drawing from neuroscience, biology, genetics, learning theory, and real training experience, Dr. Uhde breaks down how dogs actually learn, adapt, and cope — and why avoiding stress entirely can create long-term behavioral problems.

This is not theory for theory’s sake. Every concept discussed is tied back to practical training decisions dog owners and trainers make every day.

🧠 Topics Covered in This Episode

• Why “calm” is often the wrong goal in dog training• The difference between productive stress and harmful stress• How stress inoculation builds confidence and resilience• Why frustration and challenge accelerate learning• Common myths about cortisol and dopamine in dogs• Why emotional corrections damage learning• How genetics and environment interact in behavior• Why biologically appropriate outlets prevent problem behaviors• How to build real-world reliability without suppression

🎓 Recommended Training Resource

From Novice To Pro: The Ultimate Guide To Dog TrainingBy Nate Schoemer👉 https://sitstaylearn.com/collections/instructional-videos/products/from-novice-to-pro-the-ultimate-guide-to-dog-training-by-nate-schoemer?rfsn=8100182.cd38c94&variant=50148621582625

🔗 Connect with Nate Schoemer

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nateschoemerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nateschoemerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nateschoemerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NateSchoemerX (Twitter): https://x.com/NateSchoemer

🔬 Learn More from Dr. Melanie Uhde

Website: https://www.caninedecoded.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.melanie.uhdeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/caninedecodedYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.melanieuhdeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@caninedecoded

From Marine Corps discipline to professional dog training, Steven Hueston’s journey shows how structure, patience, and purpose can transform both people and dogs.

In this powerful episode, Nate Schoemer sits down with Steven Hueston—Marine infantry veteran, professional dog trainer, and host of the Dogs of War Podcast—to explore how lessons from military life shaped his approach to balanced dog training, behavior modification, and helping veterans heal through canine companionship.

If you’ve ever wondered how the mindset of a Marine translates to calm, confident, reliable dogs, this episode breaks it all down.

• How military structure and timing translate directly into effective dog training

• The difference between sport protection dogs and true working dogs

• Why service dogs can both help and harm veterans—and the long-term emotional risks few discuss

• How to build confidence in fearful dogs without coddling or over-correcting

• The truth about “force-free” training and why many trainers use punishment without realizing it

• What balanced training really means and how Steven tailors it to each dog and owner

• Why patience and timing matter more than tools

• The biggest mistakes dog owners make (and how to fix them quickly)

• The story of Dobby, a Dogo Argentino who went from reactivity to off-leash freedom

• How working with dogs provides veterans with purpose, healing, and connection

Steven Hueston is a Marine infantry veteran turned professional dog trainer. He brings real-world structure, discipline, and emotional intelligence to every dog he trains. He is the founder of Oracle K9 Training in Avon, Colorado, and host of the Dogs of War Podcast, where he interviews top trainers, handlers, and veterans on life, healing, and training.

Website: https://oraclek9training.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083883048752
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oracle_k9_training
Podcast: https://pod.link/1532993707

From Novice to Pro: The Ultimate Guide to Dog Training
https://sitstaylearn.com/collections/instructional-videos/products/from-novice-to-pro-the-ultimate-guide-to-dog-training-by-nate-schoemer?rfsn=8100182.cd38c94&variant=50148621582625

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NateSchoemer
Podcast: https://pod.link/1804414647
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nateschoemer
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nateschoemer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NateSchoemer
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NateSchoemer
Sit Stay Learn: https://sitstaylearn.com