Dog Training: A conversation with Dr. Ian Dunbar

25 Responses to “Dog Training: A conversation with Dr. Ian Dunbar”

1. fairytala says:

   March 30, 2011 at 3:23 pm

   Great video, THANKS for sharing!
   What I totally missed was the huge topic of body-language. That is the dogs language and the easiest, most natural way to communicate with them.
   Currently I do handling-training for agility with my aussie-pup in the woods, to improve my bl. I train sending her wordless around trees etc.
   It is unfair, to only concentrate on teaching the dog, because they have their own language, just like us. When we expect them to learn ours we need to learn theirs as well.

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2. cass182007 says:

   April 1, 2011 at 12:48 am

   This video is great, watched the whole thing!!! Just wanted to say, I agree with Dr. Ian Dunbar, in that giving real feedback is better than a clicker. When I trained my border collie cross for Agility, I ended up using just my voice and affection rather than even treats. With treats he wouldn’t take them or wouldn’t focus on Agility. In most things, he seems to prefer human affection over treats Not all dogs are this way of course!

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3. Radio3Penguin says:

   April 2, 2011 at 2:26 am

   @cass182007 They can be if they learn to associate the treats with affection. I’m trying to teach my cat this right now because he does not like affection at ALL, but he loves food. It’s good, though that your dog already enjoys the affection more than treats because you don’t have to worry so much about your dog gaining weight due to overfeeding the treats. Also, I think, personally, it’s more fun to train a dog that enjoys affection rather than one that is just waiting for treats.

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4. Travisdjtg says:

   April 2, 2011 at 2:59 pm

   Great video zack, i have been on your channel for sooo long.

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5. Travisdjtg says:

   April 2, 2011 at 3:21 pm

   Thank you Zack, you should Definitely do more of these short blog type interviews its very down to earth and not “embellished” for the media.

   thumbs up?

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6. Travisdjtg says:

   April 2, 2011 at 3:25 pm

   @Travisdjtg

   “or a podcast’?

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7. nicholask95 says:

   April 10, 2011 at 4:29 am

   This was very helpful and insightful!! I actually sat here and took notes!! 

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8. StLCardsGuy says:

   April 12, 2011 at 6:51 am

   Have you ever worked with service dogs?

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9. MisaB71 says:

   April 14, 2011 at 1:27 pm

   I actually mix them. I use the clicker as a marker for something specific that I want. I always use my voice along with it or just after it and talk to my dog a lot just as I would talk to my child. So clicker is just a more precise marker for me. It never replaces my voice. And sometimes I don’t even use it at all. It depends on what I’m teaching him. But when I just want that split second click I just click and just naturally talk to the dog as I give my treat.

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10. MisaB71 says:

    April 14, 2011 at 2:03 pm

    I love this video btw. Thank you very much for sharing, Zak!

    Reply
11. Habubachu says:

    April 16, 2011 at 12:29 am

    2 geniuses on dogs eating casually at a restaurant

    Reply
12. cjweyrauch says:

    May 19, 2011 at 8:28 am

    I love that he says please to his dog. I say please and thank you to my dog too and people look at me weird. They deserve courtesy too!

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13. cjweyrauch says:

    May 19, 2011 at 8:46 am

    I love that he says please to his dog. I say please and thank you to my dog too and people look at me weird. They deserve courtesy too!

    I have a request Zak. Towards the end of the video he mentions telling the the dog to sit multiple times. I have heard that it is terrible to repeat yourself, that it teaches them that they don’t have to respond on the first request and I have also heard people say it like Dr. Dunbar where repeating yourself doesn’t matter. What’d you think on this topic?

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14. ferrisbueller9000 says:

    July 10, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    No offense, but this technic is for smart people. Dogs don’t have a lazy brain, humans do sometimes. Do you agree?

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15. heilong79 says:

    July 12, 2011 at 7:23 am

    get a tripod, other than that it was good.

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16. RamsAndPabRock says:

    July 18, 2011 at 9:28 pm

    Awesome stuff, Zak. Thanks for catching Ian for a chat to post. I do have a question for him, however, that I don’t believe has been addressed in these responses. Ian, was Heineken the right choice for that meal? Best, Eugenia

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17. bonusbarclay says:

    July 22, 2011 at 11:45 am

    without a shock or zap, how do I stop my dog from barking at every passing car – when he is in the back of my pick-up truck and I am driving? BTW he does not bark when someone is in the back with him.

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18. DreamComeTrueK9 says:

    August 26, 2011 at 3:38 am

    awesome

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19. EAlexandra73 says:

    October 4, 2011 at 3:25 am

    Great video! I started using clicker training a little over a year ago and was so thankful for finding it because it not only improved my dog’s behavior but our relationship as well because the communication was clearer. I do use my voice though and can’t imagine not giving emotional feedback when he gets something right. I very much believe in redirection instead of correction as Dr. Ian Dunbar was speaking of. I hope people really took that point home.

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20. 44thsavage says:

    October 4, 2011 at 9:33 am

    @bonusbarclay lets say you take an hour of your time to sit next to the road with your dog, after you did exercise with him. When he barks, you correct him, not by hitting him or shocking, but by saying NO, or pointing your finger, or whatever works. When he doesn’t bark, you react happy and reward him. Do this like zak would say, genuine and sincerely. he will get it after some TIME.

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21. ChurtleSnap says:

    November 9, 2011 at 2:46 am

    @bonusbarclay Also think about it this way. The shock collar hasn’t stopped your dog from barking at passing cars, it’s only done that temporarily because it was in pain. With positive training, your dog can stop barking at cars completely. And I’m sure you don’t enjoy causing your dog pain.

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22. bonusbarclay says:

    November 9, 2011 at 3:13 am

    @ChurtleSnap I would and have never shocked my dog. I am saying, because the dog does not bark when a human is there, that an e-collar, which vibrates but not shocks, would work.

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23. ChurtleSnap says:

    November 9, 2011 at 3:32 am

    @bonusbarclay Oh but you wrote ‘shock or zap’ so it sounded a lot like a shock collar to me. But I still prefer positive reinforcement then a tool that physically effects a dog.

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24. bonusbarclay says:

    November 9, 2011 at 5:40 am

    @ChurtleSnap But how can you use positive reinforcement when he does not bark in the presence of a human? The Presence of a human is enough comfort and feeling of security so he does not feel he has to bark.

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25. ChurtleSnap says:

    November 9, 2011 at 6:09 am

    @bonusbarclay Well if you’re okay with that there’s no problem, but if you want the dog to stop barking at cars all together then do what 44thsavage suggested, it’s an excellent way to train. Sure it takes time but it’s bound to be effective with repetition and lots of praise.

    Reply

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