Does anyone know of online forums or resources the focus on the training methods of Ivan Balabanov? I’d like to find a discussion or group of people who’ve attended his seminars and/or are strong proponents of the method to bounce some questions off of. I just bought his tapes and have some questions about migrating from traditional positive/compulsive training to one that is purely motivational.

-Calvin

Although I've been to a Flinks seminar and loved it, I saw the Balabanov tape for the first time a few weeks ago. I realize the training methods at our club are more like Ivan's than Bernhard's. The biggest difference is with the Flinks method, the dog is focused on the toy. With the Balabanov method, the dog (my dog) is focused on my eyes, even if the toy is out in plain view, he doesn't get it till he focuses on my eyes. As far as totally motivational, I've had excellent results till I started obedience for a bite. I found I had to go quite a distance from the helper before I could keep my dogs attention on me, and not the helper. It has worked though. I can now heel my dog within 10-15 ft of the helper before he (dog) starts loosing focus on me. It's been gradual, but it IS working. I also will have no problem with giving a correction when the time comes. The biggest problem has been me. I'm an old Koehler trainer from way back <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. Old dogs CAN learn new tricks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I have been to several of Ivan's seminars and have watched his tapes. Don't fool yourself if you think he doesn't use complusion at some point in the training. You cannot get to the podium as often as he has by not using it. Now... How and when he uses it is more of the key. He discusses at length the 'marking' and the 'correction' of incorrect behavior as much as he discusses marking & rewarding correct behavior.
Donna

Just ask your questions.

I have some really good notes that my SAR unit leader took on his tapes. PM me and I'll e-mail them to you.

Donna is correct here. Anybody that doesn't think that Ivan doesn't uses compulsion and the end of his training regime to get those last few points out of a dog is fooling themselves.
I love the attention that he gets from a dog, but as far it being from 100% motivation...well, that's not completely true.
He's still one of the best trainers in America, for sure. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I too love that attention! Undoubtly one of the best trainers in America.
But the use of complusion is not necessarily left for the end to polish for those extra points, he uses it throughout as part of his communication with the dog. But the key is... when and how much. That's where having a 'feel' for the dog is so very important. I have seen him work a 4 month old puppy "in the game" and apply compulsion - not a heavy hand with a pinch collar or e-collar, but compulsion never the less...

Donna