Ep274 - Buddy Spohn from Lateral K9

In this episode of Life With Your Dog, host Panos welcomes Buddy Spohn, founder of Lateral Canine Training, for a candid and insightful conversation about his journey from a passionate dog owner to a full-time dog trainer and entrepreneur. Buddy shares his origin story—starting with a dog he adopted in his late 20s, which led him to seek training, and ultimately inspired a career shift from construction estimating to dog training. He credits early mentorship from Brad Griggs and exposure to top-tier trainers like Michael Ellis and Dave Croier for shaping his foundational knowledge and avoiding the common pitfalls of online dog training misinformation. Now operating independently from ProDog, Buddy emphasizes the importance of 'lateral thinking'—addressing root causes rather than symptoms—and the emotional and practical challenges of running a dog training business. He discusses the critical role of interpersonal skills, compassion, and client rapport in training, warning against condescension in the industry. A passionate advocate for scent work, Buddy reveals his upcoming course that teaches odor conditioning using scientifically sound methods, contrasting it with common flawed practices. He also explores the deeper value of play as a primary reinforcer and a tool for mental stimulation, especially for high-drive working breeds. The episode closes with a powerful discussion on the ethical responsibility of trainers to have difficult conversations about rehoming when a dog is not a good fit for a home, emphasizing transparency, relationship-building, and long-term dog welfare over financial gain.