Dog Training: A conversation with Dr. Ian Dunbar

[dalemk90]

Still waiting for a response from Dunbar regarding influence type and how conditioning is exploited and used by himself and others.  Its all agenda driven and appearances.

[AboutDogTraining3]

@dalemk90, you retarded pigeon brained dog choker; no one cares about your idiotic challenges. You've already proven at DogStarDaily that you simply don't understand the science involved and you have no interest in learning. All you do is repeat your set of catch phrases and never produce any evidence that supports your moronic claims

[michaelkitselaar]

@AboutDogTraining3 I get that you disagree with what many people say, however from the many of your posts that I have seen of yours, it is never positive, and only critisism. This takes away from any credibility than you have. Just some friendly advice. Not dissagreeing with your point of view, more how you communicate it.

[EAlexandra73]

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.

[DreamComeTrueK9]

awesome

[bonusbarclay]

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.

[44thsavage]

@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.

[ChurtleSnap]

@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.

[bonusbarclay]

@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.

[ChurtleSnap]

@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.

[bonusbarclay]

@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.

[ChurtleSnap]

@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.

[RamsAndPabRock]

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

[heilong79]

get a tripod, other than that it was good.

[ferrisbueller9000]

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

[cjweyrauch]

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?

[Habubachu]

2 geniuses on dogs eating casually at a restaurant :D

[MisaB71]

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

[MisaB71]

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.

[StLCardsGuy]

Have you ever worked with service dogs?

[nicholask95]

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

[Travisdjtg]

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?

[Travisdjtg]

@Travisdjtg

"or a podcast'?

[cass182007]

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 :D Not all dogs are this way of course! :)

[Radio3Penguin]

@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.

[fairytala]

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.

[marixels]

Zac,I just loved this convversation! Dr Dunbar is so fascinating,and it was AWESOME to see what you guys think about so many aspects in dog training! thank you so much for this video!

btw, I would love to see you two on the same table! hahah

can I spread this video on my blog?

[AgilityFox]

*Dr. Ian Dunbar and Zak George...at the same table*

WOW this is HISTORY !

[CrueLoaf]

Regarding verbal feedback. i do find some people talk to their dogs too much. It just becomes white noise. Have you seen some handlers being quite for 15 minutes when training? Suddenly the dogs are far more attentive!

To teach a new behaviour it's so simple to keep quiet and reinforce the single required behaviour. Once learned, then play around with the requests and reinforcement methods and frequency.

[CrueLoaf]

Thats like a micro Seminar right there in the Thai!!

I like Ian's passion! He'll talk about dog's over a few pints.

[JojoTheLucky]

this is definitely worth it... I love both of these guys =D it's sooo worth it, i love it!! i learn so much from this and this is what i've been looking for :')

[mr86b]

this is awesome info. I believe that modern dog training makes too many connections between dogs and wolves. i believe that dogs are not simply domesticated wolves but a completely different animal created by humans and in the image of humans. so it only makes sense that the best way to raise a dog should be very similar to the way you would raise a child. do people really think that early humans would even keep dogs around if they only learned through clicks or shocks(no plagiarism intended)?

[walshamite]

@mr86b Agreed! Just relating, clearly and consistently, is best. I stopped trusting my intuition after reading The Dog Whisperer and screwed up a relationship with a bright collie -- though I'd had 2 collies before, for 14 years. Too theoretical, afraid to make a mistake. My present rescue BCxGSD is treated as a dawg pal,, not an alpha or whatever. Works better, and like these guys, I talk to him endlessly. I think the strict wolf pack analogy has been discredited for domestic dawgs now.

[roxtar10870]

Amazing that it took you over a minute to mention that you had an iPhone.

[ShelterDogs]

@Dalmatianlovergirl84 Dr. Ian Dunbar is to dog training what The Beatles are to rock and roll.

[k9summer]

Awesome! Wonderful vid. :D

[00Chazabel00]

Thank you for this video Zak! Very interesting/productive 30 minutes of my life :)

[lokdiscdog]

I am also interested to know what Dr. Dunbar would do with a deaf dog, given his emphasis on voice and words in training. I've found the clicker (flashlight or "thumbs up" sign) to be an invaluable tool in communicating with mine.

[walshamite]

@lokdiscdog That's a good point. Yes, hearing works, but BODY LANGUAGE is central in dog behaviour. Lots of what the dog understands is postural, and the look you give him also speaks volumes. His looks at you do too, of course - can you read his body language? Body language is a VERY neglected area, I think. 

[lokdiscdog]

Interesting. I have personally never met a clicker trainer who doesn't also use their voice liberally to provide feedback to their dog or who treats their dog like a science experiment. I see the click as a precise marker of what my dog has done right, and then the praise as a reward that can indicate the degree of correctness. I don't think I'd be able to stop myself from giving enthusiastic praise where due if I tried.

[Ixxithedog]

WOW! I had this discussion yesterday! I dont use clicker mainly cause my dog is scared of the clicker, but i get so much more back! I have a dog that understands the language! When I tried to teach her "Leave it" it didnt work.. so at the walk one day i got sick of it and said "IGNORE it!" and she did. Ever since, I use the word Ignore, cause she understands it. I think she did it cause she felt the seriousness in my voice. I could go on and on but the commentbox restriction is too short :P

[ShelterDogs]

@Ixxithedog Is your dog scared of sharp sounds in general? If so, you may want to consider the i-clicker. It's quieter and a better design than the box clicker IMO.

[Ixxithedog]

@ShelterDogs No its just the clicker. I've tried the i-clicker inside two BBQgloves behind my back and feeding her with raw minced meat. She threw up after just a few minutes out of stress. I gave up after that.

[roseofshaz]

This was a great video... but I was very distracted by the fact that you food was getting cold! Thai food is the best!

[bowler180max]

This was a great discussion, could have easily been sold for $29.99!

Thank you Zak!.

[crystalwolf2006]

Dr. Ian Dunbar is so brilliant! Zak you must feel honored with spending this time with such an amazing guy. I'm jealous. :)

[fastveedub]

That is extremely interesting. I could easily listen to this discussion between you and Dr. Dunbar for hours. I am very interested in getting into dog training and I want to make sure I do everything correctly. I have a great deal of respect for you and for Dr. Dunbar. Thank you for this post.

[lecheparavaka]

i have visited dogstardaily and it has a LOT of info!!!

[GHortaV]

I really think Dr. Dunbar really gave Zak some good pointers, specially when Zak starts talking about 6th senses and stuff like that. You know, the new age-y things

[romel88]

Very intriguing and interesting, and even made me want a Heineken from seeing Dr. Dunbar have one hahaha

[321lablover]

fabulous 

[galcoolgal]

that was so interesting! now all I need is a dog :)

[LilosCrazyLife]

wow great video Zak. loved it, didnt even feel like it was that long. kinda wish it was longer. lol.... i have a question, do either of you have advice on how to help my dogs reacitvness? i cant seem to pin point whats causing her to be reactive, and sometimes when she would normaly be reactive in the situation shes not... advise? tips? thanks!!! =) <3

[bubbles201022]

Watched the whole thing was extremely interesting! :D

[CaliforniaCollies]

Great interview, Zak. Thank you! Dr. Dunbar is a great man.

[LesAxolotl]

Come on, Zak! Let the man eat his soup!

Great interview, tons of useful information, thank you guys. Dr. Dunbar is an amazing person.

[MuttVids]

Could you imagine walking into this restaurant and seeing Dr. Ian Dunbar and Zak George...at the same table?? Haha Great vid, lots of familiar talking points from Dr. Dunbar's seminar! You can have the best of both worlds, the science that learning theory offers and the relationship based training that comes from just loving and spending time with your dog.

[goodasgold133]

Loved this video. Everything was great, and I especially like what he said about clicker training. I tried it with my dog and she didn't do very well, but when I just use talking and excitement, she picks up things sooo much faster.

[dontpugme]

yay for atlanta dog trainers :D

[dontpugme]

haha I ate lunch watching this

[dontpugme]

Dr. Dunbar is EPIC!!! :D

[mahakhalil1]

Totally agree with NickBenger here. I would have watched this no matter how long it was! Actually, I wateched this twice, and might watch it again! The two best dog trainers in the world right now who are actually famous finally meet each other!!! how exciting is that! I'm so happy this happened and I hope you guys maybe do a show together later on ;-)

[dontpugme]

Dr. Ian Dunbar= The Grandfather of Positive Reinforcement Dog Training :D

[EvelineUK]

My MIL will tell her dog 'Alright sweetheart, I'm just going up to have a wash, I will be right back, OK?' and then tells me that 'at least she now knows where I am and will be back later.' Uhuh. ;) She might figure out that you'll be back, but as she has never seen you in the bathroom or even knows what 'washing' means, she will have no idea on the first part.

[OneCrankyFemale]

I was told not to repeat a command. He's ok with repeating it. But the way he explains it makes sense. Actually makes the others look kind of silly.

[missingair]

The only thing I have to say is that I LOVE this video. Very good explanations!, makes me want to spend even more time around my dogs.

[generalrw4]

Great video! Thank you!

[OneCrankyFemale]

Great job...but you weren't letting him eat. ;)

[TheMememe38]

We’ve been talking to our dog since he was a puppy and now he’s 10yrs old.

Our dog studied us so well that he can actually tell when he is in trouble, at first, we ourselves didn’t know why he knew even before we started to tell him off, but then later on we found out coz we often call him by his full name “Charlie Chan! What have you done to your Aligee?”

So when ever he hears Charlie Chan he knows it’s not a good thing and when he hears Aboo or Beebee he’ll come running :)

[cfiidan]

I'm done now. I feel bad for making so many comments, but that was the most inspirational video EVER. Thankyou guys.

[cfiidan]

The genius is in the communication between the two of you.

[cfiidan]

Right again, punishment or corrective actions are very useful and not as negative as they are made out to be

[MySanio]

Great video! Thank's Zak

[cfiidan]

Sorry to comment soo much. You asked for it though. You two work so well off each other. So easy to understand.

[cfiidan]

hot and cold thoery, I love it! Had not identified that as a technique, or one that I had all ready been using

[cfiidan]

That is what you two have inspired in me, is the "WANT" to experience all of this joy. It's so much fun, sometimes I wonder if all the meaning comes across when I say THANKYOU

[cfiidan]

Wow! what a great perspective on how to get a dog rescued. Best dog training video ever!

[cfiidan]

I think the "technician" aspect Dr. Dunbar is referring to, is a direct result of "Professional Trainers". How can you expect to drop off a dog, or have someone else develop a relationship for you. Dr. Dunbars early videos show the best example of how group training can be effective. By teaching the owner to teach his/her companion.

[cfiidan]

You made me a believer Zak. With the relationship, it is as easy as you say. Or, so my experience is so far. I never dreamed that it would be so rewarding!!

[K9Krewe]

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing! By the way, did you see the second video I posted on your Facebook wall a couple of days ago?

[cfiidan]

Sometimes I notice myself speaking louder and expecting too much. Its a great indicator to get myself under control again.

[cfiidan]

Right!! I have heard trainers on you tube say they wouldn't use the abusive words like "no" or "eh,eh", to which I had to respond that words only have the meaning we give them to our animals, so any "corrective" word used in the proper manner is great communication with your dog. I LOVE THIS VIDEO

[cfiidan]

He's right about voice, I think. Some trainers try to make a worry about it and say you need the "emotionless" clicker, or "have to click the exact second of" and people are putting too much emphasis on results and not enough on love

[ClickGandhi]

love y guys ! so intresting ! thank you !

[ziutek998]

you should look at him, not at camera :( 

[cfiidan]

Dog Star Daily is awesome!

[cfiidan]

Ian Dunbar is an amazing man! His videos are always interesting. I have been trying to go back and find as many as possible. No problem sitting through this Zak, thansk for putting it up...

[listenupeverybody]

Thanks for posting...great interview...love the Swahili !

[NickBenger]

Zak I watched all of this, I would of watched it if it was 2 hours long. For the ones who are truely interested in dog training this video is a gem so just for future reference don't feel like you have to shorten it for the mainstream PLEASE!thanks

[zakgeorge21]

@NickBenger That's exactly why I posted it this way Nick;)

[NickBenger]

@zakgeorge21 Ok great, just thought I'd let you know we support you putting videos like this one up without cutting it down

[bradtube1]

Wow - I like this guy a lot.

[sunny2135]

thank you :D