Why a Dog Trainer Wants You to Buy From a Breeder

The Dog People Podcast · Jul 16, 2026 · 22m

"Adopt don't shop" is one of the most repeated phrases in the dog world. But what if it's part of the problem?

In this episode, Max makes an argument that will surprise, and possibly frustrate, some of our listeners. As a dog trainer and behavioural expert, he believes that if everyone bought their dog from a reputable, ethical breeder, we would actually see fewer dogs ending up in shelters and fewer dogs being put down. It's a viewpoint plenty of people won't like, and Max knows it, but in this episode he lays out exactly why he thinks this way.

Jack, who has always adopted his dogs from…