
Training Without Conflict Podcast
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!
Latest episodes

Jun 15, 2023 • 3h 17min
Episode Twenty-One: Mathias Dögel
Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Twenty-One: Mathias DögelIn this episode, Ivan had a chance to speak to long-time friend, highly respected dog sport competitor, founder and innovator of Working-Dog.Com, Mathias Dögel. This was a very fun conversation where they had an opportunity to catch up about current, past, and future dogs, as well as share stories about their experiences in dog sports. They also had some great discussions about the problems facing IGP dog sports worldwide, how to approach them, and ultimately their beliefs in how those problems can be resolved. Matthias Dögel is the founder and managing director of the technology company Dögel GmbH. As an entrepreneur, Mathias has created many successful businesses with one of the most successful being Working-Dog.com.In addition to being the founder of Working Dog, Mathias is also an extremely accomplished dog sport competitor. Along with numerous National Championships, he is also highly successful in international competition, with his highest achievement being Vice Champion of the 2013 FCI World Championship with his dog Holle vom Holzhäuser Flur.Most recently, Mathias placed second at the CACIT Germany competition, which was highly regarded worldwide as a fantastic competition event. Mathias is also a staunch proponent of dog training and dog sport competition, spearheading many initiatives and movements to increase the visibility and importance of dog sports across Germany and Europe.For more information about Mathias, check out: https://working-dog.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.comPlease like, comment, and share with your dog friends💪🏼

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Jun 4, 2023 • 3h 38min
Episode Twenty: Jo-Rosie Haffenden
In this episode, Ivan has a conversation with Jo-rosie Haffenden. When it comes to training, they stand on the opposite sides of the line in the sand. However, they were able to have a long conversation that took them all over the place. They both realized that they actually have more common training ideas than they expected!This is what a conversation between two dog trainers on the opposite side of the spectrum looks like when they share ideas instead of digging their heels in the ground about their beliefs and ideologies.
This one is not a dull three-hour one sided monologue!This discussion could have easily continued for at least another hour. Jo-Rosie Haffenden is a MondioRing competitor that has a degree in applied psychology (human psychology), post grad in animal behavior, National Certificate in the Training of Journalism (NCTJ). She a director of international school of canine science, worked for a large national animal welfare charity, worked for a large private canine behavior consultancy. Jo-rosie has also published 3 books, presented and contributed to multiple prime time TV shows in UK. Presented at international conferences at conferences and events on topics such as Resource Guarding, Predation, Separation Anxiety and Dog Bites. She has even been requested three times as an expert in The Houses of Parliament (UK)!For more information about Jo-Rosie Haffenden, check out:https://www.caninescience.online/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💪🏼

Apr 14, 2023 • 3h 5min
Episode Nineteen: Nick Benger
Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Nineteen: Nick BengerSince my presentation on The Real Facts About Science Based Dog Training, I made a commitment to talk to dog trainers on all sides of the argument with the intent to make progress and find the way forward through the current divide in the dog training industry. Thankfully, a few force free trainers have stepped forward to have conversations with me after many avoided it for years. I am happy to present this podcast with Nick Benger where we discuss many of the problems facing the dog training industry.We even come up with a few solutions on how to bridge the gap to create more conversations between trainers in opposing camps. I hope you enjoy this conversation!Nick Benger is widely respected for his skills in dog training and is the expert dog trainer on Amazon Prime's TV Series 'The Pack'.Nick also hosted his own podcast, Dog Talk with Nick Benger. He’s the author of The Engagement Guide, an introduction to engagement training for pet dog owners. He’s received a degree in Canine Behavior and Training at the University of Hull. Benger’s expertise has led to guest appearances on BBC Radio Bristol, Animal Training Academy, and others.You can find more information about NIck Benger here:http://nickbenger.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.comPlease like, comment, and share with your dog friends💪🏼

Mar 3, 2023 • 3h 7min
Episode Eighteen: Jany Böhm
Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Eighteen: Jany BöhmLast month we had the privilege of working with Jany Böhm over a series of workshops at my place in Florida.During that time, we had truly amazing training, but more importantly got to know each other as friends. In this great conversation, we were able to discuss many things about IGP dogsport, helper work, past and future dogs, and stories about competitions in the past. For those who don’t know him, Jany Böhm is one of the most decorated figures in IGP dogsport. He is most well known for being a world class helper that has been selected to be the helper for many World Championships including the upcoming FMBB World Championship in Romania. However, Jany has had great success as a competitor as well. He was Vice World Champion at the FCI Championship in 2016 with his dog Forny, and has placed in the top 10 several times at World Championships. He has also won multiple National Championships in his home country of the Czech Republic. I hope you all enjoy this fantastic conversation!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💪🏼

Feb 24, 2023 • 3h 12min
Episode Seventeen: Susan Garrett
Susan Garrett, a world champion dog agility trainer and expert in reinforcement-based training, joins for an engaging talk about dog training philosophies. They explore the evolution from traditional to positive reinforcement methods, emphasizing the importance of understanding dog motivation. The conversation dives into the complexities of training high-drive dogs and the emotional impact of various training techniques. They also discuss the ethical implications of using different training tools, advocating for compassionate approaches that prioritize the well-being of dogs.

Feb 17, 2023 • 3h 12min
Episode Sixteen: Mia Skogster
Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Sixteen: Mia SkogsterRecently, Mia visited us in Florida for 4 weeks to teach a seminar and have some great training with me and my team.We had an absolutely amazing conversation about our history in IGP, thoughts on Malinois breeding and selection, how our training approaches differ, the current state of IGP, how the dog training community needs to unite for the betterment of all dogs, and many other incredible topics. Mia is one of the most decorated trainers in IGP dog sport, having won 2 World Championships, 2 Vice World Championships, and has been on the podium at the World Championships 6 total times. Mia frequently get V scores (over 97 points) in obedience in World Championship competition, and is one of the extremely rare trainers that has received a perfect 100 points for obedience at the World Championship level. To say Mia is a great trainer is an understatement.She also teaches seminars around the world, has an online learning platform (Inspire Ur Dog), and recently released a book that is going to be released in English in the very near future. The reasons for having Mia on the podcast are obvious.I hope you enjoy this podcast as much as we enjoyed the conversation!For more information about Mia Skogster, check out:https://inspireurdog.fi/https://www.working-dog.com/user/Mia-Skogster-2939https://www.instagram.com/inspireurdogtrainingIvan 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!

Feb 10, 2023 • 1h 40min
Episode Fifteen: Dr. Michael Perone
Training Without Conflict Podcast Episode Fifteen: Dr. Michael PeroneIn this episode, Ivan Balabanov takes a deep dive into the role of Operant Learning in animal behavior with Professor of Behavioral Analysis, Dr. Michael Perone. Dr. Perone has been actively involved in the experimental analysis of operant behavior for over 30 years. An area of ongoing concern is how to translate the concepts and procedures of the animal laboratory to the analysis of human behavior.In this podcast, Ivan gets the answers to many tough questions that have been facing the dog training industry for decades. Ivan is able to get much greater clarity about the roles the 4 quadrants of Operant Conditioning play in animal learning from a practicing animal behaviorist that is still running and completing studies on animals presently.With Dr. Perone's help, Ivan debunks some of the myths surrounding positive punishment, negative reinforcement, positive reinforcement, and negative punishment. The discussion also delves into some of the "non-aversive" practices utilized by the force free movement such as "time outs" and negative punishment, while unraveling the propaganda surrounding "learned helplessness".Ivan also gets great insight into one of Dr. Michael Perone's most popular published studies, titled "Negative Effects of Positive Reinforcement" (2003)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2731445/Dr. Perone received his Ph.D. degree in psychology in 1981 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, after which he held a faculty position at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (1982-1984). 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!

Feb 2, 2023 • 1h 1min
The Real Facts About Science Based Dog Training: A Training Without Conflict® Podcast
The Real Facts About Science Based Dog Training: A Training Without Conflict® PodcastArguments about dog training are reaching a boiling point and I decided it’s time for someone to take a significant stand against the constant propaganda and misinformation that gets spread through social media.Scientific research that starts with a conclusion and works backwards to prove it is a dangerous and unethical practice. When scientific research is cherry-picked to fit a narrative, it leads to a distorted understanding, because only the evidence that supports a pre-existing believes is considered. Such research undermines the trust in science and experts, dog trainers easily recognize bias and question the validity of findings. It's time to move away from bans, as they're ineffective and have never achieved the desired outcomes. Instead, let's come together and work towards advancing the field of dog training, free from the constraints and extreme views of any particular group!For the video version of this podcast, please check out:https://youtu.be/XjHTivWiqT8Ivan 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!

Jan 6, 2023 • 3h 22min
Episode Fourteen: Michael Shikashio
Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Fourteen: Michael ShikashioRecently, Ivan invited Michael Shikashio to the TWC podcast. Michael and Ivan may hold at times different opinions on dog training. However, they had a great, respectful conversation that explored these views and ideas.Is it possible to bring the dog training communities together, rather than increase the polarization?Both Ivan and Michael recognize that there are those on the far extremes of the dog training spectrum who are immovable in their ideologies, but they also are certain that there are the trainers in the middle who have the most to gain from such conversations. We hope that this podcast will encourage dog trainers on both sides to continue to talk with each other. Sharing knowledge and experience is how we advance – not by looking down on each other, and certainly not through legislations or bans.Here are some links to videos discussed in the podcast:https://youtu.be/9B-gt0aEtYwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki74sxKfXYMMichael Shikashio, CDBC, is the founder of AggressiveDog.com and focuses on teaching other professionals from around the world on how to successfully work aggression cases. He is a five-term president of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and is a full member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT).Michael is sought after for his expert opinion by numerous media outlets, including the New York Times, New York Post, Fox News, The List TV, Baltimore Sun, WebMD, Women’s Health Magazine, Real Simple Magazine, SiriusXM Radio, The Chronicle of the Dog, and Steve Dale’s Pet World. He also hosts the popular podcast show “The Bitey End of the Dog” where he chats with the foremost experts on dog aggression.He is a featured keynote speaker at conferences, universities, and seminars around the world, and offers a variety of educational opportunities on the topic of canine aggression, including the Aggression in Dogs Master Course and the annual Aggression in Dogs Conference.For more information on Michael Shikashio, check out:http://aggressivedog.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.comPlease like, comment, and share with your dog friends!

Dec 20, 2022 • 2h 39min
Episode Thirteen: Dr. Helmut Raiser
Training Without Conflict® Podcast Episode Thirteen: Dr. Helmut RaiserRecently, Ivan spent sometime with Helmut Raiser and naturally they decided that they had to do a podcast. For those familiar with Schutzhund ( todays IGP) Helmut needs no introduction. For those who have not heard of him, he is one of the most influential trainers that popularized the Schutzhund in Germany and most of Europe in the 80’s. They had a very interesting conversation, at times diving deep into dog training, German Shepherds, dog politics and welfare, decoy work and more.I hope you will enjoy listening as much as they enjoyed the conversation.Dr. Helmut Raiser is a dog man with an epic history in dog training and dog sport. Helmut has been winning championships in the sport of Schutzhund since the late 70's and still continues to win and podium at competitions in the current day. A peek at his working dog shows you a master of his craft with countless V (excellent) scores in all three phases of the sport.Aside from his competition success, he also created RSV2000, a highly successful division of IGP dogsport. Any written biography of Dr. Helmut Raiser would not do him justice so it is highly recommended to listen to this podcast to learn as much as you can from this dog training master!For more information about Dr. Helmut Raiser and RSV2000, check out: https://www.rsvglobal.live/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!
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