This Malinois handles the crate latch and the slam dunk

An interview with Alexander E. Mattox from Make your dog listen following this video

"I chose a variety of actions, from operating the crate latch to dunking the ball, to make the video both entertaining and inspiring."

Trari: How did you choose which commands to include in the video, from closing the crate latch to dunking the ball?

Alexander E. Mattox: I wanted to showcase how intelligent, focused, and capable dogs can be when their training combines problem-solving, coordination, and positive reinforcement. I chose a variety of actions, from operating the crate latch to dunking the ball, to make the video both entertaining and inspiring. My goal with PawMastery is to spark people's interest in dog training and show them how much dogs can learn with patience, consistency, and the right approach.

Trari: The clip added roughly 410,000 views in a day; what would you say to viewers asking about training their own dogs?

Alexander E. Mattox: My advice is to start small, be patient, and stay consistent. Every dog learns at a different pace, so focus on one behavior at a time and reward progress with positive reinforcement. Understanding your dog's behavior is just as important as teaching commands. At PawMastery, we want to make dog training easier for everyone. That's why we share practical training tips and helpful tools at https://pawmasteryai.com/ to help dog owners better understand their dogs, track their progress, and build a stronger bond with them. Remember, great training isn't about perfection overnight; it's about making progress together every day.

Trari: Your other K9 Skills video's description mentions short, structured daily sessions; what does one of those sessions look like?

Alexander E. Mattox: A typical session can be just 5–10 minutes. I like to start with a simple command my dog already knows, then practice one specific skill in small steps. I use positive reinforcement, such as treats, praise, or play, to reward the behaviors I want to encourage. I keep the sessions fun, end on a positive note, and gradually increase the difficulty as the dog improves. Consistency matters more than long training sessions. At PawMastery, we also help dog owners understand behavior, improve their training approach, and find practical tips and tools at https://pawmasteryai.com/. The goal is steady progress and a stronger bond between every dog and its owner.

Trari: What would you like to show viewers next on your channel?

Alexander E. Mattox: I'd love to show viewers more incredible dog skills, practical obedience training, and the amazing things dogs can learn with patience and the right guidance. I also want to create more content that helps owners solve everyday challenges, from excessive barking and leash pulling to improving recall and impulse control. Beyond videos, I'm building PawMastery into a valuable resource for dog owners, with practical training advice and useful tools at https://pawmasteryai.com/. My goal is to inspire people, make dog training easier to understand, and help more owners build a stronger, happier relationship with their dogs.