Positive Reinforcement and Fear Free Dog Training
Welcome!
The Sport Dog Society was founded in 2019 by me, Luke Hutson, with the goal of providing a knowledgeable, compassionate and effective training resource for folks with high energy hunting and herding dogs. Through my many years of work with these high-functioning canines, I have developed a problem solving system that can remedy almost any dog behavioral issue, via positive reinforcement and “fear free” training techniques. I like to say that our society is a group of like-minded folks who value adaptive dog training techniques which are simple, extremely effective and always compassionate. Our philosophy of reward-based obedience training is founded on the principles of water-fowl and upland game retrieving techniques, but they are wonderfully effective for dogs of all shapes and sizes. We believe that it is just as important to exercise the brain as it is the body, and we tackle this challenge with a toolbox of fun and fulfilling training methods.
Luke and Miss Charlie
Meet the Founder, Luke Hutson
Born and raised in the Hill Country of South Texas, Luke grew up with a fondness for all creatures cute, cuddly and otherwise. His natural abilities with animals were apparent at a young age, but the majority of his dog training skills were developed and honed during his teenage years while training the family Labrador for waterfowl retrieving work.
While working towards his degree at the University of Texas at Austin, Luke earned his real estate license and began working with investment properties around the UT campus area. After graduation, he began to explore his interests within the Information Technology space, working his way up to lead technical trainer with IBM Watson Group. After several years of grinding it out in the corporate tech world, Luke made the bold move to leave a lucrative career and explore his passion for working with dogs and people. It was at this time he began studying the work of Dr. Ian Dunbar and the Dunbar Academy, which focuses on science-based dog training with feeling. Since then Luke has trained hundreds of dogs of all ages and breeds, as well as conducted countless group training classes. He founded The Sport Dog Society of Austin in 2019 in hopes of bringing his style of compassionate working dog training to the dynamic urban environment that is Austin, Texas.
In his free time, Luke and his Lab-Border Collie rescue mix Charlie can be found doing therapy dog work, hiking the various Austin greenbelts and swimming at Barkin’ Springs. Luke is an avid tennis player, former professional ski instructor, world traveler, artist, chef, and yogi.
