In this episode, Flo talks with Ivan Balabanov about dog training, learning theory, consequences, punishment, positive reinforcement, training tools and the current debate around force-free and balanced dog training. The conversation focuses on one central question: What does the dog actually learn? Flo and Ivan discuss why dog training cannot be reduced to simple slogans, methods or tools. They talk about behavior, genetics, instincts, emotional state, motivation, perception, freedom and the role of consequences in training. A major part of the episode is about the difference between reaching a training goal and understanding how that goal was reached. Topics include reliability, clarity, conflict resolution, errorless learning, shaping, reinforcement, punishment, aversive experiences, e-collars, training ethics and the interpretation of scientific studies in dog training. The episode also addresses the current discussion around regulation, protection sports, working dogs, pet dogs and whether different types of dogs and different training goals require different approaches. This conversation is relevant for dog trainers, working dog handlers, sport dog handlers, service dog handlers and everyone interested in dog behavior, learning theory and professional dog training. Topics in this episode: Dog training, Ivan Balabanov, learning theory, positive reinforcement, punishment, consequences, force-free training, balanced dog training, e-collar training, working dogs, sport dogs, protection dogs, dog behavior, motivation, instincts, genetics, emotional state, dog training science and training ethics. Chapters 00:00 Intro with Ivan Balabanov 03:30 Podcasts, translation and international dog training conversations 09:30 From VHS tapes to social media: how learning has changed 13:00 Regulation, politics and who gets to define dog training 21:00 Science, punishment and the debate around training tools 30:15 Force-free training, working dogs and the limits of slogans 39:00 What did the dog actually learn? 44:30 Bad choices, consequences and real games 53:00 Punishment, ethics and meaningful contingency 1:01:00 “I can do it without tools” — but what does that really mean? 1:12:30 Education, competence and the risk of banning tools 1:20:00 Genetics, instincts, emotions and behavior 1:43:00 Errorless learning, shaping and complete learning 2:12:00 Relationship, trust, conflict resolution and final questions Find Ivan 🔗 https://www.trainingwithoutconflict.com 🔗 https://www.instagram.com/trainlikeivan/ 🔗 https://www.facebook.com/Ivan.Balabanov 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORk_Mr4w0js More about Kynotec 🔗 https://www.kynotec.at 🔗 https://www.facebook.com/kynotec 🔗 https://www.instagram.com/kynotec/channel/ 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/kynotec/ ————————————— If you have any comments about our podcast, please send us an email at office@kynotec.at or contact us on Facebook or Instagram.We’d love it if you subscribed to the show — and even better, if you shared the podcast with your friends and colleagues.Please leave us feedback and a rating in the app you’re using.Thank you! 😊