Episode 67: Dismantling the "Fear Theory"

In this episode, Ivan Balabanov and Will Bangura sit down for a direct, honest conversation about dog training, learning theory, and the claims behind “positive-only” methods.No scripts. No prepared speeches. Just two trainers with very different philosophies trying to understand and challenge each other. The points of agreement matter just as much as the disagreements.Different philosophies. Different experiences. Same goal: truth over ideology.This is only the beginning. Part 2 is already coming.

For over 40 years, dog trainers have been fed a feel-good myth: the "jackpot" reward, championed by Karen Pryor, claims a pile of treats will supercharge your dog’s learning. But does it deliver? Did the force-free movement’s “kool-aid” mislead trainers for decades?Tune in and discover the truth!

My guest in this episode is Clemente Grosso, well respected IGP and FCI Obedience judge, has officiated at numerous World Championships. Clemente is also a member of the FCI Working Dog Commission and plays a key role in shaping the rules, decisions, and long-term vision for the future of IGP. As competitor Clemente’s breed of choice is the Giant Schnauzer. We discuss how and why the rules evolve, the direction of the sport, and the often misunderstood relationship between what judges look for and what trainers think judges want to see. Clemente also shares his thoughts on the removal of stick hits in IGP and how this change is affecting performance, training methods, and even breeding and selection.We didn’t always agree, which made it even more interesting to both of us. Clemente and I go way back to my years living in Belgium, when we were both first introduced to the sport.There will be a Part 2, because we both felt there are topics we wanted go deeper into. Share your thoughts in the comments, we might include some of your ideas in our next conversation.

Is your dog chasing cars because it’s afraid?Force-free trainers like Simone Mueller claim it’s all about fear — not predation.But expert trainers and science say otherwise.In this episode, I dismantle the “fear theory” behind Predation Substitute Training and explain what’s really going on inside your dog’s brain when it lunges at cars, bikes, or joggers.We’ll explore the biology of drive, dopamine, and instinct, and I’ll show why “confidence building” doesn’t stop the behavior.Fear doesn’t make dogs chase — instinct does.And pretending otherwise doesn’t help dogs; it just sells stories.

In this episode, I sit down with my wife, Natalia Balabanov, to talk about the unique world of living, training, and competing together at the top level of dog sports. We dive into what it’s really like to share the same passion, the same goals, and sometimes the same pressure — while balancing the roles of coach, trainer, and spouse.From the intensity of competition to the daily grind of training plans and long-term goals, we talk openly about teamwork, communication, and how we handle the challenges that come with working side by side. We also explore what it takes to stay motivated, support each other, and keep improving when you’re both aiming to be the best in the world.If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to mix love, sport, and ambition — this one’s for you.

Leash reactivity. You’ve heard it a thousand times.Trainers throw it around, clients repeat it, and somehow it’s become the magic explanation for every dog that barks, lunges, or pulls on leash.But here’s the truth: there is no such thing as leash reactivity.It’s a lazy label. A word salad. And it fails dogs every single day.In this episode, I’m breaking down why the term doesn’t help.

TWC Podcast #64 Slot Machines Don’t Train Dogs!What if everything you’ve been told about variable reinforcement is only half the story?Dog trainers and psychologists love to say, “Switch to variable reinforcement, it’s like a slot machine, that’s how behaviors stick.” But here’s the truth: that analogy is flawed, incomplete, and in training, often misleading.In this episode, Ivan Balabanov breaks down:-Why the slot machine comparison fails in dog training.-When is Continuous Reinforcement actually more powerful?-How to use extinction bursts as a tool to sharpen behaviors.-Why barking, whining, and nipping aren’t “disobedience” but feedback.-The difference between keeping behaviors alive vs. making them bulletproof.Dogs aren’t pigeons in Skinner boxes. They aren’t gamblers at slot machines. Real training is about clarity, joy, precision, and connection — not random paychecks.If you’re serious about dog training, this episode will challenge what you’ve been told and show you how to think beyond the textbook.Subscribe to the Training Without Conflict® Podcast for more episodes

If Errorless Learning was the greatest breakthrough in how animals—or humans—learn, why hasn’t it taken over education?It’s been over 60 years since it was introduced. If it really worked, wouldn’t our schools, colleges, and universities have adopted it by now?In this solo podcast, I break down two recent publications by Eduardo J. Fernandez:“Comparing trial-and-error to errorless learning procedures in training pet dogs a visual discrimination”and“The Least Inhibitive, Functionally Effective (LIFE) model: A new framework for ethical animal training practices”These aren’t scientific breakthroughs—they’re ideological maneuvers. Behind the friendly language and force-free branding lies a troubling pattern: rigging methodology, ignoring real-world complexity, and selling fantasy as welfare.I’ll explain why these ideas not only fail in practice—but are dangerous when taken seriously.here are the links for the two papers:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375769627_Comparing_Trial-and-Error_to_Errorless_Learning_Procedures_in_Training_Pet_Dogs_a_Visual_Discriminationhttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eduardo-Fernandez-27/publication/376288769_The_Least_Inhibitive_Functionally_Effective_LIFE_Model_A_New_Framework_for_Ethical_Animal_Training_Practices/links/65b9e19479007454974f5517/The-Least-Inhibitive-Functionally-Effective-LIFE-Model-A-New-Framework-for-Ethical-Animal-Training-Practices.pdf

The first podcast I did with Larry Krohn was years ago, and it sparked a lot of debate around the e-collar.Since then, Larry has completed my Training Without Conflict™ school, and through many conversations we’ve come to realize how much common ground we share. Today, we agree on nearly everything and hold a strong respect for one another.We’ve wanted to do a second podcast for quite some time, and our schedules finally aligned. The result is a 4+ hour conversation covering a wide range of dog training topics.This one isn’t about conflict, it’s about depth, clarity, and experience.

Back for a second round: FCI judge David Garcia Suarez joins me for another deep and at times provocative conversation, this time focused entirely on IGP.We dive into:   •   The evolution of rules and judging   •   How training styles have shifted over the last 10, 20, even 30 years   •   The influence of genetics on modern dogs   •   And where the sport is headingWhether you’re a competitor, trainer, or just a passionate observer, this episode pulls no punches. Let us know what you think, agree, disagree, or want to push the conversation further? Drop your thoughts in the comments.