Augusto Deoliveira (Dog Daddy)
Augusto Deoliveira, known as “Dog Daddy,” is a Brazillian dog trainer, dog breeder, and social media influencer based in the United States. He’s best known for his controversial dog training tactics that use physical force, which is often called “aversive conditioning,” and is condemned by most of the dog training industry and animal welfare groups. He began his professional journey at a young age, establishing his dog training company at 19 and accumulating 15 years of professional experience in dog training since being employed as an assistant dog trainer at age 12. Augusto garnered attention on social media platforms like TikTok for his unique training methods, although these methods have been under scrutiny for being harsh, leading to submissive behaviors in dogs.
In his profession, Augusto specializes in managing ‘out-of-control’ dogs, portraying a dramatic showmanship that attracts a strong social media following. His ability to control dogs led to viral recognition on social media; however, his aversive training methods have been cautioned against by various behavioral science organizations, including the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. Deoliveira is known for training reactive, aggressive, and high-strung dogs, and has attracted attention through his YouTube channel.
Despite his popularity, there’s a fair share of criticism surrounding Deoliveira’s training methods. Various sources have pointed out that his practices could be harmful and not conducive to promoting healthy behavior in dogs. His approach has sparked discussions among dog training professionals and animal behaviorists, emphasizing the importance of promoting training methods that prioritize the well-being of the animals.