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.
✅ Michael Ellis School For Dog Trainers:
https://michaelellisschool.com/
✅ Michael Ellis Membership Platform:
https://michaelellisschool.com/membership/
✅ Michael Ellis YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@michaelellisschoolfordogtr6450
✅ Michael Ellis on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063534012479
✅ Michael Ellis on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/michael_ellis_school/
⏱️ 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
Check out my top-rated course, From Novice to Pro: The Ultimate Guide To Dog Training, on Sit Stay Learn! It covers beginner basics to advanced techniques. Get it here: https://sitstaylearn.com/collections/instructional-videos/products/from-novice-to-pro-the-ultimate-guide-to-dog-training-by-nate-schoemer?rfsn=8100182.cd38c94&variant=50148621582625
👉 Subscribe for more expert dog training interviews, tips, and tutorials.
#MichaelEllis #DogTraining #ObedienceTraining #DogBehavior #PositiveReinforcement #EngagementTraining