[Fixed]-Using django json fixture with model having Meta db_table set manually

Is there a way to get django to ignore the need for an app name in the fixture?

Nope, but I think you’re confusing the model name in the fixture with the db_table. Even though you’ve changed your db_table to be 'dog', the django model name is still 'app_name.dog' (ceteris paribus). I am pretty sure if you change it back, it will still work just fine.