

Training Without Conflict Podcast
Training Without Conflict®
After 40 years of breeding, raising, and training dogs, Ivan Balabanov provides his expert insights on dog training that he’s developed throughout his 4 decades in the dog community. Ivan takes a deep dive into the mind of dogs with the help of incredible guests that will blow your mind and change your outlook on dog training and perhaps life in general!
Episodes
Mentioned books

26 snips
Aug 17, 2025 • 4h 3min
Episody Sixty-Two: Larry Krohn
Larry Krohn, a dog trainer who blends pet and sport dog training, engages in a deep conversation filled with insights. They tackle the impact of social media on training perceptions and the importance of genuine practice. Listeners learn about resilience in dogs overcoming challenges, the significance of continuous learning, and emotional connections between dogs and handlers. A discussion on the complexities of behavior issues reveals contrasting training methods and the ethical dilemmas trainers face, emphasizing empathy and understanding in fostering trust.

Aug 7, 2025 • 2h 4min
Episode Sixty-One: David Garcia Suarez
Back for a second round: FCI judge David Garcia Suarez joins me for another deep and at times provocative conversation, this time focused entirely on IGP.We dive into: • The evolution of rules and judging • How training styles have shifted over the last 10, 20, even 30 years • The influence of genetics on modern dogs • And where the sport is headingWhether you’re a competitor, trainer, or just a passionate observer, this episode pulls no punches. Let us know what you think, agree, disagree, or want to push the conversation further? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

11 snips
May 8, 2025 • 1h 30min
Episode Sixty: Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring
Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Sixty: Dr. Josef Witt-DoerringSSRIs, Dogs, and the Chemical Lobotomy No One Wants to Talk About - with Dr. Josef Witt-DoerringIn this episode, I sit down with Dr. Josef, a board-certified psychiatrist, former FDA medical officer, and one of the few voices brave enough to speak publicly about what SSRIs are really doing to people… and what that means for dogs.The so-called “safe and effective” narrative is crumbling.What we’re seeing instead are emotional numbness, cognitive damage, and permanent changes to the brain, and not just in humans.While the AVSAB continues to push SSRIs as a behavioral fix for dogs, the evidence of harm is mounting. In this conversation, we dismantle the myth of the “chemical imbalance,” and challenge the blind faith many trainers and veterinarians have placed in psychiatric drugs.If you’re a trainer, vet, or dog owner who cares about animal welfare, this is a conversation you can’t ignore.For more information about Dr. Josef, check out:https://www.instagram.com/taperclinichttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT0HW8jp8xDuczBnO7Kg7rAIvan 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's Dog Training School 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💪🏼

May 3, 2025 • 1h 38min
Episode Fifty-Nine: Dr. Orion
Ori Stollar, known as Dr. Orion, is a veterinarian and board-certified veterinary behaviorist. He joins Ivan to discuss the controversial use of SSRIs in dogs. They question if the 'chemical imbalance' theory is valid or just marketing hype. The conversation delves into whether SSRIs genuinely improve behavior or simply make pets easier to handle. They also explore the balance between medication and training in addressing canine behavior issues, advocating for responsible practices and a better understanding of each dog's needs.

Apr 22, 2025 • 2h 37min
Episode Fifty-Eight: Jan Van Maren
Jan Van Maren, a renowned IGP helper from the Netherlands, shares insights from his impressive career, including his experience at prestigious championships. He discusses the recent ban on stick hits and its impact on training methods and dog behavior. The conversation dives into personalized coaching for competitors, exploring how individual strengths can enhance performance. Jan also highlights the importance of understanding a dog's prey drive versus aggression, and the need for tailored approaches in training to maximize effectiveness and maintain motivation.

Mar 8, 2025 • 1h 40min
Episode Fifty-Seven: Johan Weckhuyzen
I had a great conversation with Johan Weckhuyzen. Johan is the breeder of van de Duvetorre Malinois kennels in Belgium. He is also the president of FMBB. I've known Johan for a very long time and finally was able to catch him to come to the podcast. We talk about Malinois, the legends in the breed, selection l, genetics, and training, Ring sport, IGP, detection and much more. We did not have time to go over the future goals of FMBB , this will part two. Enjoy and don’t forget to comment!

Feb 27, 2025 • 3h 4min
Episode Fifty-SIx: Mondioring Special
Hello trainers, I’ll keep this intro shorter. This time I have as guests few very accomplished trainers Shannon Faltak, Jessica Johnson, and Spencer Bowman.We talk about the complexities of French Ring, Mondio Ring and IGP, the breeds and type of dogs that are better suited for each sport, the different style of helper/decoy work, preparation for competition, and much much more. Enjoy

Feb 13, 2025 • 2h 13min
Episode Fifty-Five: Javier Mendoza-Diek
Today, I have an incredible guest with an inspiring journey—Javier, a talented dog trainer who proves that hard work and passion can take you far. However you have to take the risks and challenges in front of you. Originally from Honduras, Javier moved to the U.S. at just 16 years old with his father. He initially pursued a career in veterinary medicine, meanwhile working as a vet tech, but soon realized that dog training was his true calling.Javier started as an army of one experimenting with the possibility and eventually took the leap into full-time dog training. Eventually he also took the TWC course. Now, he runs a thriving business with over 20 employees, showing what’s possible when you commit to your passion. His story is a must-listen for anyone on the fence about making dog training their career. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should take that leap—this episode is for you.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's Dog Training School 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💪🏼

Jan 30, 2025 • 3h 15min
Episode Fifty-Four: Jason Purgason
In this engaging conversation, Jason Purgason, President of Highland Canine Training, shares insights from his 30-plus years in dog training, spanning law enforcement to specialized service dogs. He highlights the critical importance of matching dogs with their owners' lifestyles, especially those on the autism spectrum. Jason also addresses the need for ethical standards in the industry and rethinking dog training methodologies, particularly for detection dogs, advocating for evidence-based practices while emphasizing the power of community engagement in fostering a supportive dog training environment.

32 snips
Jan 3, 2025 • 3h 2min
Episode Fifty-Three: Dylan Jones
Dylan Jones, a TWC-certified dog trainer renowned for handling tough cases, shares his passion for working with challenging dogs. He discusses the barriers new trainers face and the importance of trust in building relationships with dogs. Dylan advocates for innovative, humane training methods and reflects on the unique dynamics between trainers, dogs, and owners. He highlights the emotional challenges in dog training, especially in shelter environments, urging for ethical, force-free practices that prioritize canine welfare.