I have been doing the Flinks method with my 10 month old gsd for a month now. Got "Preparing...Helper" on the way and I really like his methods, albeit I am having problems, but who isn't.
Anyhow. Ivan lives about an hour from me and I know he does things a little differently than Flinks and I'm just wondering if the two styles will mesh. I just emailed Ivan about going to train with him. But I just wanna know opinions on whether or not I should try to incorporate the two styles or if they do naturally. I just figure that having a world renown trainer right down the road would be idiotic not to take advantage of.
They both have similar styles. When Bernard did a 2 seminars in Florida a few years ago, he stopped by Ivan's in between. I was lucky enough to be able to see how they both worked since he was there on a training night. It was great to see how Bernard worked dogs in so many different ways.
Although I have not had the pleasure of attending any of Flinks' seminars, I have been to Ivan's; some of his OB methods are awesome. From the Flink videos I've seen, I prefer Ivan's OB methods, when it comes to the focus the dog gives you. As previously posted, he teaches the dog to look directly at the handler in order to get its reward and he teaches the dog to find the left leg and maintain the correct position. His techniques make sense and its easy to learn. My dog's OB is looking beautiful. My recommendation is to attend as many quality seminars as you can, and then you'll be able to choose what techniques you prefer to incorporate in your own training. You'll definitely enjoy training with him. BTW, he is also an awesome trainig decoy. Hey Will, any plans for a Flinks seminar in Florida????
by the way MIke, buying the video and implementing the methods will get you started, but I strongly recommend going to train with him for a weekend to make sure you are doing it correctly as you are only a little over an hour away
Both are excellent. I've been to a Flinks seminar. Never to one of Ivans. I have both their dvds/tapes.I'd go to either one I get the chance to. IMHO, the major difference is the point of focus. With Flinks, the focus is on the toy. With Balabanov, it's the helper's face. If your that close to Ivan, he would be the best to explain the differences.
I would take advantage of either one, if avalable.
The method our club uses is more like Ivan's.
I agree with the suggestion that new trainers should take advantage of more than one instructor. You can pick up good idea from most good clinicians.
Someone else everyone should look at it Michael Ellis. Michael is as good as they come. I have been to two of him seminars and will go back.
I want to make a point that it’s not accurate to say Bernhard’s method teaches focus on the ball Vs the focus on the face. This is simply not the case. In the beginning foundation work the focus is towards the ball but this changes when the work moves into the HEELING TRAINING. In the heeling work the ball goes away and the dog learns that he must focus on the face to get drive satisfaction.
This misconception is probably my fault because my DVD on Building Drive and Focus is the foundation DVD. It does not deal with heeling.I take the approach that one needs to understand 110% of the foundation work if they are ever to be sucessful in more advanced exercises (I.e. competition heeling)
I have not yet done a heeling DVD yet (not enough hours in the day).
I will wholeheartedly second Michael Ellis. He is absolutely one of the best clinicians - of any dog sport - that I have gone to. I even recommend him to my AKC obedience friends as his clinics are worth it for the obedience alone. Never had the chance to attend a Flinks seminar but hope to in the future. I have enjoyed Ivan's seminars though and would not hesitate to go to another if I had the chance.
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