Dog Pro Radio

Host Matt Covey speaks with dog trainer Ivan Balabanov about conflict in the dog training industry and what the IACP should do. Ivan criticizes “bridge-building” with force-free advocates when it is not reciprocal, noting a major force-free conference lacks balanced speakers while IACP invites force-free presenters, and questions giving authority to people opposed to tools and punishment/negative reinforcement. Matt explains speaker selection is board-led with member input, notes post-talk surveys vary, and describes a proposed speaker agreement not to advocate banning tools; he favors clearer boundaries and more member-driven, semi-public speaker selection. They discuss how trainers are judged, the limits of licensing, concerns about trendy influencers, Hall of Fame criteria clarity, balanced trainers apologizing for aversives, and the need to counter force-free narratives (including AI search bias) by publishing accessible evidence and aligning with other working-dog organizations.

Matt Covey interviews dog trainer and performer Sara Carson, who began training dogs at age 11 and has worked in obedience, agility, protection, service dogs, and especially canine freestyle “dancing with dogs.” Carson describes building a social media following, early TV work on The Late Show with David Letterman, and how casting and heavy scripting on America’s Got Talent led to both opportunities and frustrations, including last-minute routine changes and a pushed “homeless” narrative; she notes the stress of TV timelines for dogs and handlers. Now performing at Dollywood with Stunt Dog Productions, she works six days a week in three daily shows with rotating dogs. She discusses what audiences find impressive versus what’s hardest, emphasizes choosing dogs with the right performance temperament, advocates tricks and sports to build learning and bonding for pet owners, explains her luring-heavy training and fading lures without punishment, and addresses force-free vs balanced approaches.

Dog trainer and French Ring competitor Darshan Herrán shares his background growing up in Mexico City with a veterinarian father who became a professional trainer and helped found Club Ring Sport de Mexico. Now based in California, Herrán runs a dog training business and a French Ring club, and he and his dog Pacheco are the 2025 NARA Ring 3 regional champions preparing for upcoming regionals and nationals. He emphasizes fairness, training the dog in front of you rather than one-size-fits-all systems, and discusses his shift from old-school methods to modern reinforcement, food, clickers, and extensive marker use to improve clarity, reward placement, and emotional regulation while reducing unnecessary corrections. He explains changing dogs’ expectations to address arousal and reactivity, building engagement and play, teaching impulse control drills, and advocates for French Ring to move away from unfair corrections. His advice to trainers: always remain a student and learn across disciplines.

Host Matt Covey interviews Rose Waldrup, founder of the Waldrup Somatic Method, a nervous-system framework designed to help dogs regulate and recover from stress by reading body language and applying tools like breathwork, presence, and hands-on techniques. Waldrup explains polyvagal theory’s three states (ventral vagal, sympathetic, dorsal vagal), connects nervous system state to behaviors like leash reactivity and learning limits, and discusses using stress biometrics (heart rate, HRV) to show physiological data. She outlines a “regulate, read, relate” framework, emphasizing handler regulation, slowing down, consent-based touch, and using somatics before and after training (roughly 50/50 importance), with “during” as situational. She describes key techniques (chest circles, ear slides), discusses trainer time constraints, course options (Dog Somatics 101 and a certification track), and shares shelter/rescue approaches focused on safety and observation.

Dog Pro Radio interviews Jamie Penrith, UK-based trainer and owner of Take the Lead Dog Training, who brings over 25 years of experience, including a decade as a police dog handler. The conversation focuses on off-leash reliability and predatory behavior, while also previewing his upcoming talk at the IACP European Summit on the fight against proposed e-collar bans in England and Scotland. Penrith emphasizes the importance of unity within the industry, defines animal welfare as helping dogs safely navigate their environment, and discusses practical training approaches, legal considerations around livestock, and broader concerns shaping modern dog ownership and training.

Dog Pro Radio interviews world-renowned dog trainer Ivan Balabanov, creator of “Training Without Conflict,” two-time world champion, and Malinois breeder, and notes Balabanov will speak at the IACP European Summit in Poland on what drives behavior. Balabanov contrasts sport and pet training as different in goals but rooted in the same learning principles, emphasizing evaluation of genetics, learning limits, emotional/brain state, confidence, and problem “levels” rather than fixating on the surface behavior. He critiques over-attributing issues to fear and argues for building dogs’ ability to overcome fears by changing perception and state, often using play (rather than food) to shift physiology and affect. He distinguishes fear from true predation, stating predation with intent to kill cannot be reliably interrupted by reinforcement and requires properly applied suppression, prioritizing welfare outcomes over momentary appearances. He frames dominance as momentary control of resources, not a personality trait. Discussing puppies, he highlights space, cleanliness, and allowing agency in exploration and socialization. He advises trainers to avoid cases beyond their skills, seek better education, and progress in manageable steps.

Hosts Jason Purgason and Matt Covey interview Ohio police dog handler/trainer and Vaness Canine owner Eric Stanbro about his book, "Ecollar Without Conflict for Pets and Working Dogs," and his seminars focused on fixing deeper handler-dog relationship issues, especially the verbal out. Stanbro explains “tone avoidance,” using an e-collar tone as a silent negative marker replacing verbal corrections (no, leave it, drop it) so the dog associates consequences with its behavior rather than the handler, improving manners and reducing conflict. He details how to introduce tone and stimulation quickly in real home setups, discusses timing, multi-dog households, collar fit, and common mistakes (not backing tone with stimulation). He also describes “tone recall” and “tone move/follow” for loose-leash walking and reactivity, plus limited uses for vibration.

Dog Pro Radio hosts Eve Molzhon of Dog Handler Academy, who also owns dog daycare/boarding/training facilities and runs two nonprofits placing service dogs and rehabilitating shelter dogs. Eve explains how COVID prompted her to create Dog Handler Academy’s online staff-training modules and a handler-to-trainer program, now serving clients in 15 countries. The discussion centers on “holding staff and clients accountable with love,” using empathy, fair standards, and adapting communication to the other person’s needs. Eve applies the five love languages (affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, physical touch/spatial cues) and “mirroring” to build trust, reduce shame, and improve follow-through. Through role-play, they cover homework compliance, creating house rules, motivating busy or affluent clients, using checklists and social accountability (texts/private Facebook groups), and doing regular check-ins to strengthen culture, retention, referrals, and business outcomes.

On this episode of Dog Pro Radio, hosts Matt and Jason interview ethologist Roberto Barata, who shares his path from teenage dog walker to working in a military canine unit, an animal research lab, and now writing in Denmark. He discusses social media polarization and the limitations of scientific studies, noting that research tests hypotheses rather than proving absolute truths. Barata also explains aversives and different types of stress in dogs, emphasizing that context and function matter. He highlights the value of real-world enrichment and the importance of intellectual integrity and responsible communication in the dog training industry.

In this episode, the Matt Covey sit down with Jason Purgason, owner of Highland Canine and president of the IACP, to discuss running a professional dog training school. He shares insight into Highland Canine’s 24-week program, hands-on training opportunities, and the importance of building strong foundations across multiple disciplines.

Jason emphasizes that success in dog training goes beyond handling skills, requiring strong communication, client management, and business knowledge. He also shares his perspective on industry regulation, advocating for education and experience over increased licensing.

The episode wraps with real-world stories highlighting the impact of training and rehabilitation.