Puppy Training Foundations and Service Dog Preparation | Episode 51 with Sean Martin

Sean from Jetline Canine Training returns to Sunday Afternoon Smokes after first appearing back in Episode 2 in November 2024. This time, the conversation isn’t about dog training in theory — it’s about what it actually looks like to start a puppy the right way. Poppi, Chris’ new 5-month-old dog, is only about a week into training, so this episode isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a real discussion about foundations, restraint, and why rushing obedience — or labels — often creates bigger problems down the road. We talk through what early training is really reinforcing, why neutrality matters more than friendliness in public spaces, and how training shifts when a dog is being prepared to be genuinely useful for a disabled handler — not just “well behaved.” Sean also breaks down the real-world differences between: • a well-trained pet • a therapy dog • a service dog …without internet myths, certifications for clout, or unrealistic expectations. As the conversation unfolds, it moves beyond dogs into something deeper — commitment, responsibility, and what it actually means to care for someone (or something) over the long haul. We talk candidly about being a decent person when no one’s watching, the difference between real love and transactional love, and why friendships and relationships almost always matter more than strategy or self-interest — in business and in life. It’s an honest, unpolished conversation about training, character, and showing up — whether that’s for a dog, a spouse, or the people you choose to build life with.