Should you Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater? Controversy in Dog Training

Controversy in dog training and infighting among dog trainers has been going on for many years – at least since the 1960’s when Steve said “cookie pushers” were known as “foodies” and were ridiculed by the established “way” dog trainers. But should you throw the “baby out with the bathwater?” Should young trainers read the dog training book by Colonel Konrad Most that Steve was advised to read when he started out and training books by Carol Lea Benjamin? We think it’s good for Old School and New School trainers to learn dog training history and be open to learning from others. Jeff feels that “drawing a line in the sand is causing the indsutry to be afraid to do what’s right!” Bonnie talks about why she’s glad she learned “back in the day” how to use what’s now considered an aversive tool.

What do you think is a solution to all the discord among trainers?

Steve Diller has been training for 30 plus years as well as 14 years working in the animal field as one of the first licensed vet techs in New York State. He teaches and when we asked what his business name is called he said: “let’s stick with the name my mom gave me!” http://www.stevediller.com/

Jeff Coltenback – http://www.jeffcoltenback.com/​ Jeff has been training 20+ years, is a holistic pet care practitioner, pit bull rescuer, his pet care education website is for dog trainers and pet owners www.thepetcareinstitute.com.

Bonnie Brown – https://www.dogtrainersconnection.com/ Bonnie trained dogs for over 12 years in New York City and Hudson County, NJ and founded Dog Trainers Connection in 2003 (with Steve Diller’s help). She and her husband Joel now have a liver treat business called Happy Hudson Valley Hounds check our sales page out – we’d love you to try them! https://www.dogtrainersconnection.com/pupsluvem/