Training Without Conflict® | Dog Training Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode Nine: The Disadvantages of Low Level Electric Collar Conditioning Apr 08, 2022

Show notes

Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Nine: The Disadvantages of Low Level E-Collar Conditioning

In this episode of the Training Without Conflict® Podcast, Ivan Balabanov goes solo sharing his concerns on the concept of low level stimulus electric collar conditioning in dog training.

Throughout the episode, Ivan shares many downfalls of this type of training, and dissects the narrative being pushed by trainers that utilize this training method.

This information is beneficial to anyone that is a dog trainer, dog owner, or just a dog training enthusiast. This episode is a "must-listen" for anyone looking to utilize the electric shock collar in their training.

If you have ever questioned how to use the e-collar, how to teach the e-collar, or how top trainers approach the use of electric collars, this episode will be highly beneficial to your education.

Ivan Balabanov is a 2-time World Champion dog trainer, Ot Vitosha Malinois breeder, trainer of Premier Protection Dogs, and founder of the revolutionary Training Without Conflict® dog training system.

For more information about Ivan Balabanov and information on how to train your dog using the Training Without Conflict® system, check out:

https://trainingwithoutconflict.com

https://malinois.com

https://premierprotectiondogs.com

Please like, comment, and share with your dog friends!

Episode Eight: Markus Neutz Feb 26, 2022

Show notes

Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Eight: Markus Neutz

In this episode of the Training Without Conflict® Podcast, Ivan Balabanov interviews a friend, colleague, fellow competitor, and life-long dogman Markus Neutz.

Markus Neutz knowledge of the dog world is nearly unparalleled. He is truly a force within the dog training community throughout Germany as well as around the world.

The level of experience Markus holds throughout many different facets of dog training, dog handling, and dog ownership is truly mind blowing.

He has been training dogs since 1980.

He has been a K9 trainer and handler for the German Polizei since 1994.

He has bred, owned, trained, and won championships with several different breeds including German Shepherds, Giant Schnauzers, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Malinois, and he even has a Jack Russell Terrier that he has trained for IGP!

He is the breeder of the famous Lupano Malinois Kennel, where he bred Lupano’s Duke, the dog he trained to win the VDH and DMC championships in 2003 and 2005, respectively.

He has competed at the world level at the FCI World Championship and also won the 1999 Doberman German Bundessieger.

Markus is also a well respected judge who has presided over some of the biggest National and World Championships around the globe.

Outside of the sport world, Markus is the head trainer of the K9 school for the German Polizei.

He has trained police K9s for SWAT teams, specializing in patrol, narcotics, and explosives detection.

Outside of Germany, he has also trained K9s for use in 5 other countries including the United States.

Markus is also still an active patrol officer with his Jack Russell that is trained in arson detection.

Despite this huge workload, Markus still trains his personal dogs for IGP and assists in training for his IGP club in Germany as well as hosting workshops around the world with his wife Maria, who is a highly accomplished trainer and competitor in her own right.

This podcast is truly an unbelievable fly on the wall experience listening to two titans in the dog training world discuss fascinating subjects about dog training. Ivan and Markus talk about their roots in dog training, the role that the Belgian Malinois breed has played in dog sports and police K9s, breeding standards and practices, and also discuss the recent ban on aversive dog training tools in Germany.

Prepare yourself to listen several times to absorb the wealth of information contained in this 3 hour podcast!

Ivan Balabanov is a 2-time World Champion dog trainer, Ot Vitosha Malinois breeder, trainer of Premier Protection Dogs and founder of the revolutionary Training Without Conflict® dog training system.

For more information about Ivan Balabanov and information on how to train your dog using the Training Without Conflict® system, check out:

https://trainingwithoutconflict.com

https://malinois.com

https://premierprotectiondogs.com

Please like, comment, and share with your dog friends!

Episode Seven: Michael Ellis Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Seven: Michael Ellis

In this episode of the Training Without Conflict® Podcast, Ivan Balabanov interviews long-time friend and colleague Michael Ellis.

Michael Ellis is an internationally known and respected dog trainer with over 30 years of experience in competitive dog sports.

Michael has instructed countless seminars all around the country and the world.

He is also a renowned teacher at the globally recognized, Michael Ellis School for dog trainers.

Michael was also one of the pioneers of popularizing Mondioring in the United States. He was one of the first Americans that were certified Mondioring decoys, and he has done decoy and helper work across several dog sports at the National Championship level.

In this episode, Ivan and Michael catch up on some memories they shared in the early 90s training alongside each other in Northern California and then dive deep into some of the biggest issues facing present day dog training.

They discuss the recent attempts of the force free camp to push their “positive only” propaganda and dive deep into why their claims are false and unfounded.

The attack on dog training aversive tools in Europe is also a very hot topic.

Ivan and Michael also share some knowledge about the history of dog sports and their opinions about Schutzhund (IPO/IGP), French Ring, Belgian Ring, Mondioring, and PSA in the present day.

Along with all this, Michael is also the breeder of the storied Loups Du Soleil Malinois kennel, which brings up a great discussion about breeding, genetics, puppy selection, and puppy raising.

This discussion is truly a masterclass of knowledge that all dog owners, pet trainers, dog sport competitors, and working dog handlers will enjoy over and over. One listen will not be enough to soak in the incredible dog training knowledge contained in this podcast.

For more information about Michael Ellis, check out https://michaelellisschool.com

For more information about Ivan Balabanov and information on how to train your dog using the Training Without Conflict® system, check out:

https://trainingwithoutconflict.com

https://malinois.com

https://premierprotectiondogs.com

Please like, comment, and share with your dog friends!

Episode Six: Roger Abrantes Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

Training Without Conflict™ Podcast Episode Six: Dr. Roger Abrantes

In this episode of the Training Without Conflict™ Podcast, Ivan Balabanov interviews one of the great minds in the study of Ethology, Dr. Roger Abrantes.

Dr. Roger Abrantes, is a titan in the world of Ethology, receiving a Ph.D in Evolutionary Biology and Ethology and a BA in Philosophy. He is one of the last living students of Konrad Lorenz, Nico Tinbergen, and Karl Von Frisch.

Dr. Roger Abrantes considers himself to be a "citizen of the world" speaking nine languages (English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Italian, German, and Thai)

He is the author of 17 books in English, German, Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Italian, and Czech, and numerous articles on behavior. He is probably one of the most versatile ethologists in the world.

His books "Dog Language – An Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior" and

"The Evolution of Canine Social Behavior" are must have books for any dog enthusiast.

His most recent book, "Animal Training My Way – The Merging of Ethology and Behaviorism" revolutionizes animal training as much as his first book, "The Dog, Our Friend – Psychology Rather Than Force" did in 1982.

His work ranges from lecturing at the Ethology Institute Cambridge, where he is the scientific director, to appearances as a guest lecturer at universities worldwide, popular talks, seminars, as well as being a special advisor to the Portuguese GNR (the Military Academy trained police) on the canine detection of narcotics and explosives.

Dr. Abrantes is especially known for his views on social behavior and its applications to the daily understanding of pet behavior; and for his no-nonsense working methods, a practical and thorough application of Ethology and Learning Theory, teaching the animal the new patterns patiently and efficiently step by step.

Check out some of Dr. Abrantes' books here:

Dog Language – An Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior

The Evolution of Canine Social Behavior

For a full bibliography of Roger Abrantes' work, check out:

https://ethology.eu/roger-abrantes/

For more information about Ivan Balabanov and information on how to train your dog using the Training Without Conflict™ system, check out:

Training Without Conflict™

Ot Vitosha Malinois

Please like, comment, and share with your dog friends!

Episode Five: Dr. Doug Lisle and Dr. Jen Howk May 18, 2021

Show notes

Training Without Conflict™ Podcast Episode Five: Dr. Doug Lisle & Dr. Jen Howk

In this episode of the Training Without Conflict™ Podcast, Ivan Balabanov interviews two of his biggest inspirations, Dr. Doug Lisle and Dr. Jen Howk.

Dr. Lisle and Dr. Howk are the hosts of the very popular Beat Your Genes Podcast.

Dr. Doug Lisle received his undergraduate education from the University of California, San Diego (summa cum laude). He completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Virginia, where he was awarded the Presidents Fellowship and was a DuPont Scholar. He was then appointed Lecturer in Psychology at Stanford University, and worked on the research staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs at the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Palo Alto, California. His research and clinical interests have broadened to include health and wellness, self-esteem, relationship satisfaction, the treatment of anxiety disorders and depression, and optimizing achievement motivation. In addition to his work with Esteem Dynamics, he is currently the Director of Research for the TrueNorth Health Center and also serves as the psychologist for the McDougall Wellness Program, both located in Santa Rosa, California.

Dr. Jen Howk earned her B.A. with honors from the University of Washington, and her M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Her academic research explores how state-society relations shape vulnerability, resilience, and social well-being. Her Ph.D. dissertation, “Too Dysfunctional to Govern: Trauma Capital and State Retreat in Rural Alaska,” explains how claims of historical and ongoing trauma, distress, and vulnerability in communities that lack alternative markers of status and success can become a stable source of social capital that paradoxically reinforces underdevelopment and inequality.

Dr. Lisle and Dr. Howk are now in the process of co-authoring a book based on Dr. Lisle's new method of approaching human psychology and wellbeing. He describes this approach as Esteem Dynamics – its core insights adapted from a revolutionary biological approach to psychology. Central figures having major influence on Dr. Lisle’s thinking include Richard Dawkins, John Tooby and Leda Cosmides, David Buss, Steven Pinker, and Geoffrey Miller. All of these individuals are considered academic A-list thinkers in evolutionary theory and human psychology. Somewhat surprisingly, insights from these trailblazers has yet to reach mainstream clinical psychology, and thus major advances stemming from some of the world’s greatest thinkers have yet to be systematically applied to problems of helping people improve their lives. Esteem Dynamics is the first such effort – born of Dr. Lisle’s 25-years of clinical experience wedded to the deep insights into human nature now available via evolutionary psychology.

Check out Dr. Lisle and Jen Howk's Esteem Dynamics

Check out the Beat Your Genes Podcast

Dr. Jen Howk's Podcast Howk Blocked Podcast

Dr. Lisle's TedX Talk about The Pleasure Trap

Dr. Lisle's Book "The Pleasure Trap: Mastering the Hidden Force that Undermines Health & Happiness"

Ivan Balabanov is a 2-time World...

BONUS EPISODE: Larry Krohn May 03, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of the Training Without Conflict™ Podcast, Ivan Balabanov debates Larry Krohn on methods of using the electric collar training tool. They debate their beliefs on the proper use of e-collars, the efficacy of conditioning the e-collar as a training tool, and present scientific data to support their position leading to a very productive and fascinating conversation about electric collars that is long overdue.

Larry Krohn is a retired government agent and dog trainer based out of Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he operates Pak Masters Dog Training.

He has been training dogs for over 2 decades and has shared his methods on his highly successful YouTube Channel.

Larry is a huge presence in the dog training community hosting seminars around the United States, while also providing special workshops for veterans where they are able to learn from him for free.

He also wrote a very successful book, Everything you need to know about E Collar Training, in hopes of teaching dog owners how to properly use the e-collar with their personal dogs.

For more information on Larry Krohn, check out his YouTube channel:

Larry Krohn

For more information about Ivan Balabanov and information on how to train your dog using the Training Without Conflict™ system, check out:

https://trainingwithoutconflict.com

https://malinois.com

https://premierprotectiondogs.com

Please like, comment, and share with your dog friends!

Episode Four: Dr. Ian Dunbar Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Ivan Balabanov interviews Veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and dog trainer, Dr. Ian Dunbar.

Dr. Dunbar received his veterinary degree and a Special Honors degree in Physiology & Biochemistry from the Royal Veterinary College (London University) plus a doctorate in animal behavior from the Psychology Department at UC Berkeley, where he researched the development of social hierarchies and aggression in domestic dogs.

He has authored numerous books about puppy/dog behavior and created the SIRIUS® Puppy Training video.

In 1982, Dr. Dunbar designed and taught the world's very first off-leash puppy socialization and training classes -- SIRIUS® Puppy Training. Subsequently, he created and developed the San Francisco SPCA's Animal Behavior Department, the American Kennel Club's Gazette "Behavior" column, which he wrote for seven years, and the K9 GAMES®, which were first held in San Francisco in 1993 and continue as annual events in Japan and France. He hosted the popular UK television series Dogs With Dunbar for five seasons and has appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including the Today Show (US) and Dash Village (Japan).

You can find more information about Dr. Ian Dunbar here:

The Dunbar Academy

Sirius Pup

Here are some links to some of Dr. Dunbar's books:

Dr. Dunbar's Good Little Dog Book

Before and After Getting Your Puppy

How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks

For more information about Ivan Balabanov and information on how to train your dog using the Training Without Conflict™ system, check out:

www.trainingwithoutconflict.com

www.malinois.com

www.premierprotectiondogs.com

Please like, comment, and share with your dog friends!

Episode Three: Clive D.L. Wynne Nov 23, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ivan interviews Clive D.L. Wynne, the founding director of the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State University. They discuss how scientists and dog trainers need to collaborate for the betterment of the future of dog training.

Clive D.L. Wynne

Born in England, Clive Wynne studied at University College London receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in 1983 and received his Ph. D. from the University of Edinburgh in 1986. He has served on the faculty of the University of Western Australia, and the University of Florida, before arriving at Arizona State University in 2013.

He is the founding director of the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State University. Previously, he was founding director of the Canine Cognition and Behavior Laboratory at the University of Florida, the first lab of its kind in the United States.

He has written several books such as:

The Mental Lives of Animals (2002) https://amzn.to/338KdGK

Do Animals Think? (2004) https://amzn.to/370lyVJ

Animal Cognition: Evolution, Behavior, and Cognition (2013) https://amzn.to/395L0vN

and his most recent work,

Dog Is Love: How and Why Your Dog Loves You (2020) https://amzn.to/2UNV2t0

His broad interest is in comparative psychology understood to include the evolution, development and progress of the behavior of individuals and groups of nonhuman animals. The behaviors Wynne is interested in range from simple conditioning to complex cognitions.

His approach is behaviorist in his emphasis on parsimonious explanations, cognitive in his interest in rich behaviors, and ethological in his concern to see behavior as a tool in animals’ adaptation to their environments. The specific focus of ongoing research is the behavior of dogs and their wild relatives. In this domain Wynne's group studies the ability of pet dogs to react adaptively to the behaviors of the people they live with; the deployment of applied behavior analytic techniques to the treatment of problem behaviors in dogs; the behaviors of shelter dogs that influence their chances of adoption into human homes, as well as the welfare of shelter dogs; improved methods for training sniffer dogs; the development of test banks for studying cognitive aging in pet dogs; humans as social enrichment for captive canids; among others.

Wynne has lived and worked in Germany and Australia as well as the United States and gives frequent talks to audiences around the world. The author of several academic books and of more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles that count among the most highly cited studies on dog psychology, he has also published pieces in Psychology Today, New Scientist, and the New York Times, and has appeared in several television documentaries about dog science on National Geographic Explorer, PBS, and the BBC. He currently lives in Tempe, Arizona.

For more information about Ivan Balabanov and information on how to train your dog using the Training Without Conflict™ system, check out:

www.trainingwithoutconflict.com

www.malinois.com

www.premierprotectiondogs.com

Please

Episode Two: Mark Plonsky Oct 23, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ivan Balabanov has a conversation with good friend Dr. Mark Plonsky.

Retired Professor Emeritus of Experimental Biopsychology (University of Wisconsin)
Ph.D Experimental Biopsychology, 1984 (University of Albany)
M.A. General Psychology, 1980 (State University of New York at New Paltz)

At the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Plonsky taught important courses on Canine Behavior, the Psychology of Learning, and the Psychology of Motivation and Emotion. He currently operates as a K9 Behavior Consultant and has had a long history of working with many different types of animals from laboratory rats to stumptailed macaques in his studies.

In addition to his studies, Mark has been involved in dog sports ranging from AKC Obedience, Noseworks, AKC Agility, and Schutzhund/IGP as well as handling a dog that co-starred in the film “Nonames” (2010).

You can find Dr. Plonksy’s articles and studies at https://www4.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/index.htm

Ivan Balabanov is a 2-time World Champion dog trainer, Belgian Malinois breeder, and founder of the revolutionary Training Without Conflict dog training system.

For more information about Ivan Balabanov and information on how to train your dog using the Training Without Conflict™ system, check out: www.trainingwithoutconflict.com

For information about the TWC Certfication Program: www.twccertification.com

Episode One: John E.R. Staddon Sep 14, 2020

Show notes

The first guest to join Ivan Balabanov on the TWC Podcast is one of his lifelong heroes, Neuroscientist and Behaviorist John E. R. Staddon.

John E. R. Staddon

- James B. Duke Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University.

- Ph. D in Experimental Psychology from Harvard University 1964

- B.S. University College of London 1960

- Honorary visiting professor at the University of York.

John did his graduate work at the famous Skinner Lab at Harvard in the early 1960s (supervised by Richard Herrnstein, who did his doctoral work with B. F. Skinner) and has devoted his long and distinguished career to the study of the adaptive function and mechanisms of learning. John has done research at MIT, The University of Oxford, York University and many more.

For more information about John E.R. Staddon: https://psychandneuro.duke.edu/people/john-e-r-staddon

In this episode, Ivan and John explore the role of behaviorism in the animal world, dive deep into science and pseudo science research, and discuss the relevancy of B.F. Skinner on modern day dog training.

For more information about Ivan Balabanov and information on how to train your dog using the Training Without Conflict™ system, check out: www.trainingwithoutconflict.com

www.malinois.com

www.premierprotectiondogs.com

For information about the TWC Certfication Program: www.twccertification.com

Check out John E.R. Staddon's books:

Scientific Method

https://amzn.to/2GTz8AX

The New Behaviorism

https://amzn.to/2DRYZbn

Reflections on Adaptive Behavior: Essays in Honor of J.E.R. Staddon (A Bradford Book)

https://amzn.to/3iohxii

Adaptive Dynamics: The Theoretical Analysis of Behavior

https://amzn.to/32mYm2S