Training Without Conflict Podcast

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Sergio Pellis, a distinguished researcher who has spent over four decades studying Play in rats within lab settings. Together, we share a deep fascination with Play, having each explored its nuances for more than 40 years—myself with dogs, particularly during training, and Dr. Pellis with his groundbreaking work on rats. Throughout this conversation, we delve into the many shared benefits of Play that transcend species, from cooperation to the establishment of rules, even how discomfort can shape the play experience. We explore some truly thought-provoking questions, like, "Why do we play at all?"After my recent study comparing electric collars and positive reinforcement set the internet on fire, I've taken the opportunity to shift focus back to what has always been my core passion: Play. This episode allows us to reconnect with the foundational aspects of behavior through the lens of Play and its profound role in shaping both dog and human development.Subscribe, like and let me read your comments after

Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Forty-Five: Mia SkogsterWelcome back to my TWC Podcast! I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mia Skogster once again to dive deep into discussions about our personal dogs, training, IGP rules, and FMBB judges. We focused particularly on the protection phase this time around. As I’m releasing this episode, we've already scheduled part two to continue this fascinating conversation.I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed having the conversation. And yes, I know it's a bit cliché at this point, but if you could like and subscribe, it would mean a lot. This podcast is purely for the love of it—no paid advertisements, just infinite fun and educational content. So, if you can subscribe and share with a friend, I am happy to keep providing more free information for all of you!

Hello trainers! I’m excited to bring you another fascinating conversation today. This time, it’s with my friend Nake Florin. Nake has a background just as interesting as many of our guests—he’s decoyed Mondioring at the world championships as well as USMRA and other events, gives seminars around the worlds, Nake works for one of the largest dog rescues in the UK.I first met Nake about 10 years ago when I was giving a seminar in Romania, and I’ve been impressed with his work ever since. In this episode, we dive into a variety of topics, from training sport dogs and discussing rules to tackling challenges in animal shelters and working with problem dogs.I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did!

My guest is Shannon Faltak, as you will find out her journey in the dog world is one of a kind! For those that don’t know her at all just to give you a glimpse Shanon took Knox, a 5 year old dog, filled it in Mondo and French Ring , went to the world championships and now is planing to enter the IGP Malinois Nationals! Her story is very inspiring to me, she is a proof that everything is possible and starts with a dream

Today’s podcast features Dr. Michael Moyer, a veterinarian and the owner of Bridgewater Veterinary Clinic. We discuss various aspects of dog health, common reasons dogs visit the vet, spaying and neutering, the Fear Free enterprise, overmedicating and other intriguing topics related to dogs.

Training Without Conflict® Podcast Special Edition: Dr. Karen Overall's Deep Breath Protocol For DogsWelcome to this short solo podcast! Todays topic is fascinating and controversial: Dr. Karen Overall's deep breath protocol for dogs. Imagine if your stressed out or aggressive, fearful, anxious dog (pick one), could take few deep breaths and instantly calm themselves down—sounds like a superpower, right? Well, Dr. Overall suggests that with her Deep Breath Protocol, dogs can learn to do just that, taking deep breaths in the most stressful situations to Self-Regulate and improve their emotions on their own.Get ready for a fun ten-minute listen as we dig into the canine psyche, debunk some “protocols”, and have a few laughs along the way. Share your thoughts in the comments, can this be done or wishful thinking?

Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Forty-Two: Jany BöhmAs of late, many have laid claim that IGP is a dying sport. However, after the drama and theatrics of the most recent FMBB World Championship we saw a passionate outcry from trainers around the world pleading for transparency in the sport. There was also a considerable amount of outrage as to who was the rightful champion. In this podcast, I am happy to be joined by my great friend, and 2024 FMBB Vice World Champion Jany Böhm.This was recorded only weeks after the 2024 FMBB World Championship, which led to a polarizing series of events that have many wondering what the proper next step for the sport should be. Thanks to Jany, we are able to go deep into the process of this year’s World Championship.He provided an honest accounting of the competition, the judging, and rules enforced this year. We also discuss how all of these things have impacted the sport in the past. We discuss the good and the bad, in the interest of providing those in power with context on what decisions can further improve the sport of IGP.IGP has always had it’s own flavor of controversy, but it is now possible for trainers with a large platform to voice their thoughts an opinions in the interest of trainers around the world. In some cases, the Training Without Conflict® Podcast is here to share knowledge and entertainment, but thanks to you all as listeners, we have the power to have a voice to make a change.In the interest of improving and growing the sport of IGP, I look forward to seeing your thoughts in the comments.You never know how impactful your comment might be…Enjoy.For more information about Jany Böhm, check out: https://www.instagram.com/janybohm/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.comhttps://malinois.comhttps://premierprotectiondogs.comPlease like, comment, and share with your dog friends💪🏼

In the newest episode of the Training Without Conflict® Podcast, I had a chance to sit down with my friend, World Championship level helper, and IGP World Championship competitor Vladimir Dragicevic. For those in “the know” Vlad is no stranger to high level competitors having worked with many of the trainers and dogs you see on National and World Championship podiums today.In addition to his phenomenal helper work, he is also an accomplished competitor having received one of the top obedience scores at the 2022 FCI World Championship with his dog Duke Ot Dachevski.During the podcast, we discuss what it takes to be a World Championship level helper, how Vlad approaches preparation for trials as a helper and a competitor, and his history as a helper and dog trainer. I enjoyed this conversation quite a bit and I am sure you will too!

Welcome everyone to another exciting episode of the Training Without Conflict® podcast! I’m thrilled to have Markus Neutz back with us from Germany as our guest. Today, we delve into the world of the FMBB championship, exploring topics like judging, comparing training styles, and much more. Sit back, relax, and enjoy

Welcome to another episode of TWC podcast where we explore diverse perspectives and challenge the status quo. Today, I have a brave guest who steps outside the lines of her community's ideology to share her strong opinions on a topic she's passionate about. It's not easy to question deeply held beliefs, especially when they are influenced by powerful propaganda.Our conversation highlights the difficulty many people face in changing their opinions once they're anchored in a position. As Patrice O'Neil wisely said, "You can hold your opinions, but don't let your opinions hold you." It's crucial not to be "married" to your ideas. They are just ideas, and clinging to a false belief out of fear of being wrong is far weaker than admitting the mistake. But is it at all possible?!Join us as we delve into the importance of keeping an open mind, embracing change, and the courage it takes to break free from ideological constraints. Let's dive in!

Recently, I invited David Garcia Suarez from Spain to judge our club trial so we could get our dogs and training critiqued first hand by one the most respected IGP judges at the moment. David has judged many National Championships, as well as World Championships including FMBB which he will once again judge this month in Italy.The conversation gives a glimpse of how he evaluates IGP performance and what the rule book expects from the handler, how emotional state(s) are evaluated as well. We also talk about the current pressure the sport is under in Europe, the demands of the force free advocates and much more.Enjoy!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.comhttps://malinois.comhttps://premierprotectiondogs.com

On my recent trip to Northern California, I had an opportunity sit down with Michael and answer some questions that trainers submitted on social media. We had a great time and answered a ton of questions.I hope you enjoy it!

Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Thirty-Six: Vadim PlotskerIn this episode, I interviewed dog sport competitor, IGP judge, member of the WUSV board of directors, and current United Schutzhund Club of America President, Vadim Plotsker. I have been wanting to have this conversation for a long time as Vadim has a very unique perspective on the sport of Schutzhund and the German Shepherd dog. During the conversation we were able to discuss the current state of Schutzhund not only in America, but worldwide. I was able to find some answers regarding rule changes and the path required for them to become rules in the FCI standard.We were also able to discuss some of the issues facing the sport of IGP worldwide and potential solutions to those issues. I learned a ton from this discussion and I am sure you will as well!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.comhttps://malinois.comhttps://premierprotectiondogs.com

My goal when I started the TWC podcast was to provide knowledge and tell stories from true experts.My guest in this episode is very much a true expert in his field and at the absolute top of the game as far as I am concerned. He is someone I have known since my days in California back in the 90's and am happy to call a friend.I am happy to share my conversation with the incredibly talented photographer, Brian Aghajani.If you have seen an incredible photo from an IGP National Championship over the last 10 years, it is very likely that Brian was the person behind the lens. He has been capturing and sharing incredible moments for years, but I knew he also had a very interesting story to tell. In this episode, we dive into his history, both as a photographer and a dog trainer. He shares incredible knowledge on what allows him to take the unbelievable photos that he produces and also shares stories on what was happening behind the scenes in some of his most famous photos. I had a great time catching up and learning more about Brian and his expertise and I know you will as well. As always, if you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe to my YouTube channel to be the first to know about future episodes!For more information about Brian, check out: https://brianaghajani.comIvan 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.comhttps://malinois.comhttps://premierprotectiondogs.com

This episode is a recording of Ivan Balabanov's appearance on the Bow Wow Bill Podcast on 11/26/23.

Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Thirty-Four: Louis DonaldIf you are German Shepherd lover, this episode is for you!This week’s episode epitomizes the reason I started my podcast.I wanted to have in depth conversations and talk dogs with some of the most accomplished, knowledgeable, and interesting people on the planet. Louis Donald is one of the world’s foremost experts on the German Shepherd breed.Louis has had a lifelong passion for the German Shepherd dog.At the young age of 26, he was elected President of the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia and held the position for 2 decades. His book, The Definitive German Shepherd Dog, in my opinion should be MANDATORY reading for anyone not only interested in German Shepherds, but dogs in general. Louis became a fully licensed working dog judge in 1974, and in 1978, he became Australia’s first fully licensed SV German Shepherd Dog Judge, and at the time, the youngest SV judge in the world. His knowledge about the breed, to put it mildly, is vast.He is a true dog man with a passion for German Shepherds.In the podcast, we discuss the origins of the German Shepherd dog, how the division between working and show lines occurred, problems facing the German Shepherd Dog breed in present day, and some of the deepest and darkest secrets of the German Shepherd dog lineage going back to some of the breeds most heralded studs.The 3 hours we talked absolutely flew by and we still had more to talk about, but we agreed to save it for another episode. This is absolutely one of my favorite podcasts to date, and I know you will all love it. As you check out this amazing episode, all I ask is that you hit the subscribe button and tell a friend!For more information about Louis Donald and to buy his book, check out his website: https://louisdonald.comIvan 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.comhttps://malinois.comhttps://premierprotectiondogs.com

Welcome to another Training Without Conflict podcast! In today's special episode, I’m honored to have with us Dr. David Mech, a globally recognized authority on wolf behavior. Dr. Mech's groundbreaking research has reshaped our understanding of these majestic creatures, but his work has often been misinterpreted, especially in the dog training community.For years, the concept of dominance in animal behavior has been a topic of contention, with many in the dog training world advocating for positive reinforcement methods and dismissing dominance as an outdated idea. Today, Dr. Mech joins us to set the record straight. We'll discuss the nuances of wolf behavior, the misconceptions about dominance, and how these insights apply to dog training. Join us as we debunk myths and explore the rich complexity of animal behavior with the expert himself, Dr. David Mech.Ivan

Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Thirty-Two: Dean CalderonI’m sure many of you have heard the term “dog boy” around certain dog training circles.Many people don’t know where that term came from, but this week, you will find out where it came from and why…My guest this week is self proclaimed “Dog Boy”, dog sport legend, and my friend Dean Calderon.Dean has some strong opinions that you may or may not agree with, but you can feel the passion and love he has for IGP and for all dogs as he shares his thoughts with me. This conversation was as real as it gets. Completely organic, raw, and unfiltered.The only way Dean knows how to do it. Dean is an incredible storyteller and believe me…These are stories you will want to hear!The cover photo of this podcast is from the 2007 FCI World Championship when Dean and I stood proud as champions of the world!This is one of the amazing stories we tell in this podcast. Absolute MUST LISTEN for any dog sport fan, competitor, and enthusiast.As always, if you enjoy this podcast, subscribe for more to come, share with your friends, and hit the like button so more people like you can find out about it!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.comhttps://malinois.comhttps://premierprotectiondogs.com

This week on my podcast I had a conversation with the highly controversial trainer The Dog Daddy.While many of you might find this surprising or even potentially upsetting, my goal with my podcast is to allow all of you to learn about training methods and perspectives from trainers across the spectrum of dog training. Although Dog Daddy has created quite a rift in the dog training space, I was interested to have him explain his perspective on training so I could understand for myself, instead of relying on the words and beliefs of biased, social media influencers that are fixated on a particular ideology. My goal was not to disprove, disapprove, approve or propagate Dog Daddy’s methods or beliefs in this podcast. It was simply to provide myself and my audience with a first hand account of what, why, and how he views and utilizes dog training concepts in his training. This conversation, in my opinion, is another step in an attempt to bridge the wide gap between the two warring camps in dog training. I hope you approach this podcast with an open mind and save your decisions, beliefs, and feelings for the moment you have all of the information presented to you.I have asked other well known trainers and scientists to have conversations with me, and quite frankly they do not have the courage to take me up on my offer. If they are upset by this podcast, they are welcome to join me to talk about it. You may not like this podcast.You may love it.But understanding each other is crucial to progressing as a group. Progress lies just beyond a few difficult conversations and the sooner we begin to talk to each other, the sooner we can begin to truly make progress as an industry. That being said, if you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and share with your friends. 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.comhttps://malinois.comhttps://premierprotectiondogs.com

Training Without Conflict® Episode Thirty: Omar Von MullerIn this episode, I had the pleasure to catch up and have a nice conversation with a long time friend, and trick dog master, Omar Von Muller.It is highly likely you have seen one of Omar's tricks in a viral video in the past or in a major Hollywood production. As a teenager, Omar trained dogs for friends and family. Omar also spent time training police dogs for the Miami Dade Police Department, as well as competing in Schutzhund and French Ring.In 1993, Omar moved from Miami to Los Angeles where he began to train dogs for celebrities, and the motion picture industry. Some of his movie credits include, The Italian Job, Four Brothers, Jackass 3D, and Water for Elephants.The highest honor of Omar's career is his dog Uggie being involved in the Academy Award winning film, The Artist. Uggie received many awards for this role worldwide and eventually became the first dog to have his paw prints immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Currently, Omar continues to train dogs for Hollywood films, but has also created an online learning platform for students to learn how to teach tricks to their personal dogs. For more information about Omar, check out: https://www.trainingwithomar.com/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.comhttps://malinois.comhttps://premierprotectiondogs.com