Episode 5 : The Woke Dog Trainer Era: Bite Work, Breed Myths & the Battle for Common Sense
Description
Welcome to The Rooted, where we strip away the fluff and talk about what’s really happening in the dog world.
In this episode — The Woke Dog Trainer Era — we dive into how the industry has become a battlefield of ideology, ego, and moral grandstanding. From the San Francisco Standard article claiming that “wokeness has infected dog training,” we break down how philosophy has replaced practicality and how that affects dogs in the real world.
We also take on the growing debate around bite work as an outlet for reactive or aggressive dogs — when it works, when it backfires, and why so many trainers misuse it as therapy instead of structure.
Then, we confront The Myth of the “Dangerous Breed”, unpacking the truth behind the Tyrese Gibson dog attack case and what really happens when power, drive, and lack of accountability collide. It’s not about the breed — it’s about the human behind the leash.
Finally, we turn the mirror inward, exploring the psychology of trainers — why ego, identity, and social validation are shaping modern dog training more than results.
Featuring Mallory Holmes, Liam MacLeod, and Braxton Haight, this episode challenges the status quo and cuts through the noise with real talk from the field.
Sponsored by Worthless Handler — manufacturing morale and pissing off admin since 2018. Visit worthlesshandler.com
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