Podcast episode 1: Why Everything You Know About Dog Training Might Be Wrong: Dr. Eduardo Fernandez

[@laurengarcia1023]

It's amazing how many grown adults can't emotionally regulate themselves but expect so much more out of young children or animals. Thanks so much for the interview. It was really informative. When we know better, we can do better, and thanks to researchers, like Dr. Fernandez, providing data and not subjective anecdotes, we can hopefully continue to grow and help our pets. They deserve it. There's a reason why we don't educate humans the same way we did 60 years ago. Why use the same outdated training methods on dogs?

[@kimfrancis4692]

Wonderful choice of guests, Zak! Eduardo Fernandez is an absolutely brilliant authority on animal behaviour.

[@spencerdeycasa153]

The most intelligent and empathetic dog trainer out there! I recently recommended you to a friend who got a new puppy 🥰 thank you for your work!

[@mustangx]

If it’s a lap dog fine. If it’s anything more then this guy has no idea

[@mustangx]

@@spencerdeycasa153 lol. He has to be the most incompetent in his field. Treat stopping lap dog boy can’t train to save his life

[@sebg2086]

you talking about zack? dog trainer? he can walk his 4 year old dog on a loose leash.....and cant trust her at all off leash lol

[@kazwhitehouse5155]

Dog behaviour and learning theory is universal. some breeds may have particular genetic drivers however science is science.You dont train big cats by yanking them about (they would eat you 😅) ​so a pug or rottweiler they need the same care, enrichment and communication / motivation style. If you need to use aversives then you need to look at the other end of the lead. @mustangx

[@csjkscs]

@@kazwhitehouse5155well said.

[@jfrankcarr]

My poodle just said, "Hand over the Pupfords now. It's science!"

[@April_idk]

Been working as a behaviorist for years now, punishment often doesn't work. I think that's a misconception. I have so many clients that, instead of stopping a behavior got completely traumatized by the punishment and either formed heavy fear reactive behavior when the trauma is triggered or complete mental shutdown. And we certainly need a paper on this. Because dogs simply can't identify the reason for punishment correctly in a lot of cases. A ton of my cases are as followed: Dog sees another dog and wants to communicate (just with body language at a distance, nothing extreme), owner doesn't want them to do this because the dog has to POOP before they go to work, focus should be on THEM. So they pop a prong collar on. Dog receives pain preforming very normal and natural behavior when ever seeing another dog. Dog decides when ever another dog comes? They receive pain, so they start associating other dogs with pain, going into behaviors to tell others dogs to stay away because they cause them pain. Causing more pain, because the owner also punishes this behavior, causing the issue to escalate. 2 years later I'm on their couch because dog caused and incident and badly injured themselves and another dog because a dog got too close and the prong didn't work. Dog was trying to remove the pain but all it did was cause more pain and.. spiral. Meanwhile I am wondering where they got the prong, because those things been banned by law for years where I live for exactly this reason. Either way... this... this is what I see over and over again. And I think there's a lot of people in my field that know this song all too well and are very willing to send in case files for such a research.

[@anodyne.7024]

Punishment is so messy and difficult to control outside of a laboratory. The more complex the organism, the more difficult it is to use precisely and effectively. Since methods that do not include punishment work just as well or better, there is no rational excuse for including it.

[@madmaxx5612]

No it's not.​@@anodyne.7024

[@madmaxx5612]

Hahajajaa

[@JesusOfNazarethSaves]

I don't usually comment but I just wanted to say regardless if we all agree or disagree on specific training techniques etc, one thing we all agree on is animal welfare! We all care because that is why we all have strong feelings on how we should train and how they should be treated and how to provide them (with their individual needs and likes and dislikes) the best possible life under our care. This was a great video! I appreciated all the research and information that was shared. Thank you! 🐕🐾♥️

[@PositivePup-t1h]

Brilliant conversation! Thanks to you both, Zak and Dr. Fernandez!

[@scottjones6624]

What a mature and compassionate presentation by this scientist. I liked his humility and understanding as to why people use aversive techniques and then presents a lot of convincing points as to why one might want to avoid them. No politics, no shaming, no righteousness. The message was so easy to hear and assimilate due to this stance.

[@crotchet1586]

@@scottjones6624 Worth watching just for the LIMA content!

[@KS-yv7tw]

Great conversation! I need to watch it again. I love to continuously learn to find the most effective and kindest ways to modify my dogs behaviour. I believe my dog owes me nothing and I want to be the person who gives them the best life they could have (their life is not long enough). I don’t want them to be intimidated by me. I want them to enjoy doing what I ask of them. Why would anyone not want that.

[@wonderbugone]

I'm just amazed at how everything is falling into place lately. A couple months ago I rediscovered your channel after years and am now currently studying toward a Diploma of Animal Behaviour Science and Technology which is all about the science of behaviour and training from a behaviorist approach using positive reinforcement-based, least aversive methods. This video discusses a bunch of stuff I've learned about recently in my program.

[@zakgeorge]

How bout that?!?🎉

[@wonderbugone]

@@zakgeorge Uh-oh, after finishing the video I removed LIMA from my comment. I mistakenly used it loosely to mean positive-reinforcement based. Now I'm confused as to why IAABC and CCPDT promote it. Those organizations do describe LIMA as focusing on teaching animals what _to_ do, but my understanding of it was evidently incomplete as far its stance on punishment. Well, I'm tossing out LIMA in favour of LIFE. Thank you all for educating me!!

[@oscaraguirre6775]

I appreciate the intent towards more educated, humane and evidence based practices. However, I’m appalled at how many ‘dog trainers,’ ‘dog psychologists,’ and this Dr. mistake negative reinforcement for punishment. Maybe he misspoke on this video, but they are NOT the same. Reinforcement, whether positive or negative results in an increase of behavior. Conversely, punishment, whether positive or negative results in a decrease of a behavior. All these ‘trainers’ keep calling aversive/punishment techniques, negative reinforcement. Totally wrong and a disservice to Skinner’s work and legacy.

[@paulinelienart9752]

That conversation was gold , thank you for giving platform to such useful information 🙏

[@paulspanish-he2ki]

Really enjoyed this video. Thanks for providing information based on research!

[@jamesr9227]

You’ve been in Alaska so long the state-mandated beard is coming in. Next sponsor will be beard oil! All seriousness, this was awesome! Thanks for elevating specialists in the field. I especially learned negative reinforcement v. negative punishment.

[@zakgeorge]

Glad you enjoyed it! And yes, enjoying the beard!

[@anonymousaccount8505]

Bearded Zak is NOT playing around

[@janhankins911]

Love Dr. Fernandez. He's such a professional and I learn so much from him.

[@achjulchen3541]

🫶🏻 for Dr. Fernandez!!

[@johnhubble5156]

Looking at this Guy's track record he has moved around a lot. Does he have any dogs of his own? Has he lived in a multi dog household to be able to observe dog to dog interactions in a domestic environment for an extendeds period. Has he bred a litter or had the chance to oberve a mother interact with her pups from birth to post weaning?

[@csjkscs]

Who are you talking about?

[@HeatherQ333]

What a great video!

[@adventurousdoglover]

I train service dog, so I am very positive based, but there are times where the dog goes through stressful moments and that is sometimes unavoidable due to dogs having different personalities so to sit here and call myself are R+ would be inappropriate in my eyes I do not use any tools other than a collar leash and treats or food are needed, but building a relationship and making sure your dog has the enrichment. It needs is ultimately the biggest key and training falls into place. since I have changed my approach I have seen much better results with less struggles and overall happier dog.

[@zakgeorge]

In unavoidable situations, we do our best to manage. But we take that as a cue to set up training exercises that will minimize or avoid this stress in the future.

[@adventurousdoglover]

@@zakgeorge thank you for answering. I appreciate it! I used to be a balanced trainer, but switch to positive training and I’ve seen such a world of difference! I hope I can help educate others just as much as you have and continue to do😄

[@mariannejensen349]

I noticed, some time back, when I was visiting my aunt and her wife, how at one time, one of my aunt's dogs were just walking restlessly around. I asked where some of the toy for the dogs were, found a piece and went to play fetch a little bit with him. He is at the stage of playing keep-away, or what ever you call it, Zak. But buttumline, the dog had a bit easier time laying down calmly after a few rounds of fetch. HE also have a tendency of barking at the neighbors when ever action is happening, on the lower floors of the next house to my aunt's backyard. I guess it might be that the dog in general might be bored, but I don't know, and the dog is not mine. So it's hard to go in and do anything about it.

[@rheazeus123]

Zak please do a video of you training a large aggressive dog. All ive seen is dosile puppys and small dogs, like the type my 10yr old trains with her eyes shut..

[@Faunalii]

What happened to that video about the police dogs? I thought there was one.

[@markjansson]

I think the discussion of control was interesting. Humans live in highly controlled environments and so it mames sense that we resort to it instinctively with our pets, starting with all the laws we must abide by in order to legally obtain and maintain a dog. Having a dog on leash is one such rule -- to that end, *any* collar is aversive (not just prong and shock collars) because it restricts movement and delivers a consequence for a dog trying to leave the company of its handler. As for explaining why aversive trsining methods flourish, I'd look no further than how highly managed and controlled we are in our own lives as people. That's not a vote for living off the grid or anarchy or even minimalist government, but it's a tough sell to someone who works their tail off for a job under all kinds of restrictions and under constant fear of negative consequences for mistakes or poor performance to compartmentalize that as a mere "human plight" and not apply it to our relationships with animals. We have to shownour fellow humans a little grace here too if they take a shortcut to compliance by raising their voice when their companion is engaged in something we don't want. The flipside to me is always taking advantage of opportunities to reward our companions for the subtle things they do that make our lives easier. Ideally, a lot of dogs would love for ys to open the door, go roam and explore (with or without us), chase other animals, have sex, come home to a big steak dinner, and call it a day. The life we can provide is often far from that and a lot of what ordinary people are doing with training is refining control over their daily lives. Rewarding the little things in the absence of a word/command/instruction goes a long way in my book.

[@Cheremeri]

I hope you stopped your bs tradh talk about trainers who rehabilitate dogs that ARE NOT PUPPIES and the owners failed to trian them properly so they become aggressive adult dogs!

[@markjansson]

​​@@CheremeriZip it. I'm not talking trash about anyone here. My comment was about why people can be prone to overly controlling and aggressive methods in handling their dogs. The only one talking trash is you. Take that noise somewhere else; you're not even on-topic and make no sense.

[@k9mutttraining]

I've been to some of his seminars and he's fantastic

[@zakgeorge]

Agree.

[@user-pq9ji7kt4l]

Zack writes his own comments now?

[@kevingold1091]

@@user-pq9ji7kt4l He can when he's talking about someone else on the show. Zak is commenting about how good Fernandez is.

[@tracythomas343]

I watched a documentary last night on Netflix about training dogs - more specifically training service dogs. It’s very interesting as it goes into evolution of canines, positive reinforcement practices in training, then training dogs for service work.

[@logun24x7]

In that documentary do you remember to amount of dogs that actual get selected for the training and the actual success rate where a dog makes it to placement, so first only 1% of puppies qualify for the program and of those 1%, 35% graduate the training program.

[@tracythomas343]

@@logun24x7 it does talk about the success rate. I didn’t write down the numbers. It was very comprehensive and accurate. It spoke of more than just service work as well. It spoke a lot about the emotions of dogs and their intelligence as well. It was exactly what Zac has been saying in his recent live events and videos about the fact dogs learn by positive reinforcement and that they have emotions and they show their emotions through their eyes, etc..

[@HopeIVLove]

which film was it? ​@@tracythomas343

[@logun24x7]

@@tracythomas343 You'll have no argument from me on the emotional awareness or intelligence of dogs. I only point out the success rate and puppy enrolment requirements as these animals are very uncommon specimens that react very well to a specific type of training. Just like the emotional beings we are, the vast majority of us NEED both rewards and aversives experiences in our lives to learn how to behave in a socially respectful and rewardful life around others, your dog is no different. Don't believe me try teach your child how to be well adjusted human by only say YES from now on.

[@tracythomas343]

@@logun24x7 have you ever heard of gentle parenting? Don’t try to sell me on your agenda because it won’t work. I’ve seen too much as a social worker. Have a good day.

[@julz63]

I love this conversation with Dr Eddie. So much empathy and kindness, this is what I’m aiming for with my new puppy. Absolutely love your teaching methods Zac. Best wishes from Australia 🇦🇺

[@marcfrangiosa7657]

This podcast was just perfect. I'll share it to a lot of my clients that have difficulty to understand the change in techniques and why it's so important. Thank you so much Zak and Dr. Eduardo Fernandez

[@ritariordan2664]

Referencing our pets as "companion animals" leads the conversation to non-aversive methods of training. My daughter is a pediatric behaviorist (BCBA) who had me rolling on the floor laughing at positive response training with her rescued dog. Bottom line: my daughter had a wonderfully trained dogs. I rethought my own dog and horse training to include exactly what Dr. Fernandez is saying. Probably the most salient point was preference assessment. It really does help to video the context of a behavior and the contingency situations and realizing that successful positive reinforcement is merely a momentary status. Bottom line: training is an on-going process.

[@anodyne.7024]

I really admire you both very much for your tireless efforts on behalf of the science of learning and animal welfare. Some days it must feel like such an unfair and frustrating uphill battle. Thank you so much for persisting.

[@AnimaTriste]

Troll

[@nicolaskrinis7614]

Arguments from authority don't work. I live with 5 dogs, 4 of them rottweilers. I would never try your methods, they don't work. In fact, you are laughable.

[@alexandradittmann8588]

Absolutly brilliant! Thanks to you both for this enlightening conversation.

[@ScheerhornAA13]

It’s Zack George’s dog training experience allllll the way down….

[@Cheremeri]

If you cant save large aggressive dogs don't talk cral about those who can! You dont do anything but talk. Pure crap

[@sebahattinnugay559]

Please can there be Turkish subtitle support?

[@youngchuchu08]

❤❤❤

[@gullinvarg]

For what it's worth, I almost didn't watch this because of the thumb nail. For an audience interested in rewarding correct behaviors, I'm not sure a title that focuses on a negative behavior is the best way to get views.

[@mrbond229]

What a load of crap as usual

[@lawn-order]

Dead channel LOL

[@DarcyRigden]

Wtf I know u don’t care about the video you’re just an insufferable loser. Well u go ahead and try to get 10k views in a week and more than 3m subscribers. Go ahead I will like to see u try.

[@roberthatch6230]

Watch Big Chuck McBride and see how to do everything wrong . He turns the comments off so he’s obviously not open to any suggestions.

[@chrisr-m6568]

Zak!!!!!!!! I have to ask, Is Dr Fernandez the best of the Science based experts!? Or a leader in this field?

[@j8ck280]

Love this, thanks zak you have helped me so much with training my reactive german shepherd. Better than most trainers and i have never even seen you. Thanks

[@AnimaTriste]

Troll

[@AllanPowell]

Wow man you look like 10 years older from when I subscribed 10 years ago.

[@zakgeorge]

Funny how that works!

[@chrisr-m6568]

Zak!!!!! The heart is fine, I'M asking Is Dr Fernandez the best of the Science based experts!? Or a leader in this field?

[@ChristinaT-49]

Robert hynes,have you ĺissened to this man.

[@alexandradittmann8588]

I have, had several hours of conversation with him. We might not agree on everything, but he's the first one I'd come accross to connect the dots between Skinner being blamed for the quadrants, and modern "balanced" trainers essentially using the compulsion-based approach described by Konrad Most in his book from 1910.

[@Erin_29]

I've found Robert Hynes to be extremely rude. He talks in circles and it's only his way or he shuts everyone down. His attitude is very unpleasant. He deletes any comments he disagrees with.

[@ChristinaT-49]

Erin,I have dogs all my life,Robert hynes helped me understand The WHY,question my dog was behaving the way she was.He helped me to understand my dog nd also taught me how my dog understands me

[@Erin_29]

@@ChristinaT-49 I am glad he's helped you so much! I was just speaking on my experience with him online on his KZbin channel. I recommended to him that his attitude was coming across as very rude and that he should consider changing it. I don't think he liked that very much. I stopped commenting after that.

[@alexsarbu3978]

​@@alexandradittmann8588 Interesting. I consider him a complete fraud, confusing Skinner's radical behaviorism concepts with Most's ideas (which are, of course, a rudimentary form of behaviorism). And claiming that even reward based trainers are following Most. But the worst is how he's talking about conspiracies involving all trainers - yes, apparently reward based and compulsion trainers are working together to take people's money. He, supposedly, will start a revolution which would put all trainers out of their jobs. Sorry, but the guy appears extremely deluded.

[@csjkscs]

I know that the concepts I’ve learned from Zak’s channel have worked for both my mini schnauzer and my lab/boxer mix. I also shared him with my parents who have three dogs. I don’t know what the rest of you are doing…

[@RacquelHamilton-o5o]

The only that is wrong here is following Zak George and believing everything he says here is truth.

[@jartotable]

I like watching a good mother keep her pups in check. That's how its done in nature for a reason.

[@zakgeorge]

I actually made a video about this you can see if you want to hear the truth about it. Mother dogs very rarely use significant force on their puppies. In fact, it is considered a red flag in breeder circles if this happens.

[@Thetoad738]

Positive training dolphins who are forced to live in a bathtub. Tell me again how is LIMA cruel?

[@logun24x7]

I have a little story about aversive training, I'm walking my 80LB GSD down the street the other Day. She walks perfectly at my side but for safety I always walk her on her training collar (prong collar) as she could easily take a 200 LB man to the ground without breaking a sweat. I suddenly hear a cry of excitement of a child yelling "Doggggeeee" as a 5 year old girl starts running down the driveway on the far side of the road, as you can imagine this startles the dog and she lets out a defensive bark and begins to leave my side. Because I was prepared with her training collar I could give an immediate and swift firm correction to let her know that was the incorrect response to that stimulus and keep her in control. Meanwhile the father of the 5 year old girl snapped into action and caught her by the arm taking her off her feet, he then gave her a pat on the bottom to let her know his displeasure ..and said; .."you don't ever run into the street or try to pet dogs you don't know" and then promptly sent her into the house crying. This is a true story and the reason I'm telling it is because this is the way all organisms learn things. You all had experiences like this with your own parents or as parents ... in the moment this is exactly how you all would react. Moral of the story, in that moment both the dog and the Child learned a life saving rule that may save both their lives in the future from a single correction.

[@rico4you]

But Zack George will tell you the BIG LIE...that you are wrong and science based training would not have corrected your dog using such a correction and the killer prong collar you use is criminal ( although nobody knows where this science comes from as he never says it but loves using the term science based) ...this is the BS that Zack George spreads!

[@zakgeorge]

I completely understand where you’re coming from. As dog guardians, our instinct is to keep everyone safe, especially in unexpected situations. It’s important to remember that both our dogs and children need guidance to navigate the world safely. That said, as a professional dog trainer, my goal is to help guardians like you manage these situations in a way that reduces the need for corrections in the first place. Through positive reinforcement, desensitization, and other related approaches, we can train our dogs to stay calm and focused, even when startled by something like an excited child. I totally understand that it can be overwhelming at times, and having a backup option in case your dog overpowers you is sometimes necessary. For example, some might recommend using a martingale or neck collar for emergency situations. However, the issue with correcting in the moment is the unintended associations that animals often make. In a situation like this, if the correction is firm enough, many dogs might associate that unpleasant experience with children in general, which can lead to problems down the line. This connection isn’t always obvious, but it can have lasting effects.

[@logun24x7]

​@@zakgeorge Thank you, Zak. I'd like to share some words of wisdom from my Grandpappy. He said, "Always be working the dog that's in front of you." He also said, "You'll meet lots of people in dog training who will tell you how to fix your dog while tripping over their own." And finally, "As soon as you think you know it all, your next dog will prove you wrong." What do you think he meant by that? I know these scientist types and yourself like to work with these friendly dogs that are compliant and have had the Prey and Defensive drives bread out of them, But ... and its a big Butt ... fade the reward schedule long enough and your back to square one. For most pet dog owners that want to have some fun with their dogs and show off their spins, sits and downs that's perfect .. Keep doing that. Trying to make a case this treat only based, desensitization bla, bla, bla, training is all you need and works for "EVERY AND ALL DOGS" for "EVERY ALL ISSUES" is just a utopian pipedream your selling. I'm really sorry you don't want to see it or expose yourself to these dogs and "PROVE ME WRONG" unfortunately we are still living in a world where we (humans) are still the leading cause of dog deaths between the ages of 1 to 3 years old as a resalt of Vet assisted deaths for unresolved behavioural issues... so what you and the various Veterinary Institutions supporting this utopian of "no aversive" dog training need to ask and answer for is ... are you doing more harm then good? is that number of deaths going up or down? What I'm really interested to hear Zak, is your thoughts on how the Dad delt with his child, what do you think of the aversive used on the child, do you think this hurt the mans relationship with his child or that somehow the child will be left scared, or perhaps the child was taught a valuable lesson and will make better choices in the future. How about the rest of you, would you react the same, have you used aversive raising your own children? Do any of you parents who now have young adult Children think maybe your Child later in life might have benefitted by you being harder and more strict on them?

[@crotchet1586]

Interesting. Forget the dog for a mo; what do you think the child learned? ''Daddy gets angry when Im happy. Daddy is mean. Daddy gets angry when I play and am excited. Daddy gets angry when I run. Daddy gets angry when I scream. It's ok to hit people when you're angry. Daddy doesnt like dogs. Daddy doesnt like me. Dogs are scary. Roads are scary. Daddy is scary. I should always be quiet or daddy may get angry'' After stopping her running into the road, and ensuring that she was safe what was the hitting for? She understands language, why do you believe you need to use violence to teach her?

[@rico4you]

@@crotchet1586 this has to be the winner response for outmost ridicule! Yes a society where human errors are never "punished" and are instead given positive reinforcement. As a teen have friends who were allowed by the parents to do whatever they wished as Daddy would nurture them with more Toys. While I crossed the line a few times and was corrected harshly and I got a very clear message that marked my way to current success. Today those friends of mine are losers in society some even in jail. This is your Utopia and ZG with his BS rhetoric of let's always be positive. What a Joke!

[@andreacurtis5472]

I just wonder why everybody tries to get into everybody else’s business instead of just worrying about their own if he’s popular he’s popular and he’s doing something right because everybody’s going to him instead of going to you so why don’t you stay in your lane?

[@ghjkhuikk5695]

Cause he’s trying get into balance trainer’s business. We don’t care if he’s out there scamming people or not don’t try to ban our tools that provide our dogs the freedom his dogs can never have

[@andreacurtis5472]

Well, I guess that’s OK. If you’re on your own page, you can sell whatever you wanna sell, but when you go to someone else’s page and want them to sell something you think is worthy of selling you’re still in someone else’s lane put it on your own page, you can sell whatever you want, nobody stopping you

[@ghjkhuikk5695]

@@andreacurtis5472 are you stupid? I’m not selling anything I’m trying to protect my dogs freedom

[@ghjkhuikk5695]

@@andreacurtis5472 are you dumb? I’m not selling anything I’m trying to keep this mf in his lane

[@lillieball7662]

I am canceling my subscription because you are being way too critical of Dog Daddy and I think it is unfair. I dont like what some people do but I don't hunt them down.

[@kevinthomas5902]

No dogs were trained on this day.

[@user-pq9ji7kt4l]

Like any other day……

[@TeslaNick2]

Liar. I trained my dog today.

[@kevinthomas5902]

@@TeslaNick2 you did better than Zak!

[@mustangx]

Zak is a snake oil salesman. Fake trainer

[@ChristinaT-49]

​@@mustangxHe just good at selling toys nd treats.

[@Salix1505]

Do you plan on calling attention to Jeff MacAurther, a trainer in Alabama who posted a video of his Pit Bull killing a Belgian Malinois? Your audience could do a lot of good if you brought it to their attention. The sheriff’s department is trying to cover it up, but if thousands of people put pressure on the FBI to investigate it would make a difference.

[@madmaxx5612]

Can the doc apply anything. Those that cant, teach

[@ashapuri3114]

Eating animals is aversive

[@My_Grandma]

How so?

[@ashapuri3114]

​@@My_GrandmaPer definition: Anything that is unpleasant emotionally or physically that is used to decrease an unwanted behaviour. I am thinking animals are mostly brought up in awful conditions, to be killed and eaten in the end. Okay I agree, to be killed is not an unwanted behaviour but the whole process is highly unethical treatment of an animal.

[@ericellis9281]

Lame af lol

[@ChristinaT-49]

Zac uses management nd control with food.,His dogs don't have a true realashionship, they are like robots.

[@Badi204]

Do you not control your dogs food and or movement?

[@ChristinaT-49]

​@@Badi204No,I concentrated on building a relationship first with my dog through trust.Very little training is needed.I don't walk around with a bag of treats attached to my hip.Build a good relationship first with your dog nd your dog will watch you for guidance what choices to make.

[@Badi204]

@@ChristinaT-49 how are you building that relationship? Since apparently you aren't using food rewards and you aren't controlling your dogs movement. Why is your dog picking you over a squirrel/rabbit?

[@Badi204]

@@ChristinaT-49 so just to be straight. You are claiming you don't use positive reinforcement, allow your dog complete freedom of movement regardless of age/relationship, ie never using long line/leash. And it doesn't respond to its instinctual prey drive because of the relationship right off the bat? Kudos to you. Ive read Simone Mueller and been using her technique for prey drive. And she isn't using food as the positive reinforcer but rather looking/engaging with the "prey". She also recommends leasing your dog. What has been your secret?

[@angelinacamacho8575]

@@Badi204 with my dog its all about showing him that its more beneficial to be around me than to chase something unless i tell him to. i let him get it out of his system on a long line (he is never fully off leash ) then call him back or go get him. i usually have a toy since we are usually going on walks to find a space to play. he also knows to check in with me. he also learned that outside time doesnt always equate to acting a fool. it also helps that he makes good eye contact when i say ¨look at me¨ and ¨leave it¨ treats helped for a bit but now i phased them out and only rely on them for more difficult situations. i can now call him away from a dog and allow him to play with one by saying ¨free go play¨ or just greet and walk away by saying ¨go say hi¨ to a person or dog who is ok with that. here free roaming dogs are common and most like to follow us to check out the new dog on the block lol.

[@mustangx]

Fake dog trainer - you have no credibility.

[@greysuit17]

Random troll that has no credibility

[@rico4you]

​@@greysuit17Zack George refuses offers to have a one on one discussion with for example Robert Cabral, Tom Davis , Larry Krohn, Ivan Balabanov... what is Zack George hiding? Why not Walk the Talk? This is the BIG LiE!

[@mustangx]

@@greysuit17 zak George is a nasty little fella who I have zero sympathy for. He’s a fake just like your profile - Zak is that you. Cookie anyone?

[@alexandradittmann8588]

And how about Dr. Fernandez? Also, how is Zak a "fake dog trainer", given that he has almost a thousand dog training videos on KZbin?

[@alexandradittmann8588]

@@greysuit17 exactly - once he's posted 900+ dog training videos himself on KZbin, the troll can come back here and enlighten us with their own credibility.

[@BarontheDoberman]

Dr. Eduardo Fernandez = Dr. Nick Riviera