In this powerful and wide-ranging interview, world-renowned dog trainer Michael Ellis shares the most overlooked key to successful dog training: engagement.
Before you can teach your dog what to learn, you first need to teach them how to learn—and that starts with creating engagement and motivation. Whether you’re a dog owner, new trainer, or seasoned professional, this conversation will transform the way you think about dogs, obedience, and behavior.
Want a dog that’s eager to listen and motivated to train? In this video, we reveal why engagement is the true foundation of dog training—and how to build it using proven conditioning techniques. Learn how to create focus, motivation, and clear communication, setting your dog up for reliable obedience anywhere, anytime. Whether you're new to dog training or looking to deepen your skills, this video will help you understand your dog on a whole new level.
We dive deep into: - Why engagement is the foundation of dog training - How classical conditioning impacts every behavior - The correct use of markers (with or without a clicker) - How to avoid common training mistakes like overshadowing and learned irrelevance - The right time to switch from continuous to intermittent reinforcement - How to deal with behavioral issues like fear, aggression, and anxiety - The future of dog training—and how science is changing everything
If you’re serious about understanding dog behavior and elevating your training, this is one interview you don’t want to miss.
⏱️ Timestamps for Easy Navigation: 00:00 – Engagement in Reward-Based Dog Training 06:35 – Measuring Dog Training Engagement 13:20 – Delayed Reward Timing in Dog Training 18:13 – Effective Dog Training Commands 26:24 – Intermittent Dog Training Strategies 27:43 – Dog Training: Effects of Continuous Rewards 36:16 – Evolving Dog Training Methods 41:51 – Evolving Dog Training Insights 46:09 – Training People for Dog Skills 51:48 – Dog Training: Beyond Protocols 58:09 – Effective Rewards for Anxious Dogs 01:01:26 – Pavlovian Interference in Dog Training 01:06:29 – Delayed Rewards in Dog Training 01:11:20 – Evolving Approach to Dog Training 01:19:55 – Michael Ellis Membership Launch 01:20:56 – Affordable Dog Training Access
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