The ABCs of Dog Training: Simple Principles for Powerful Results ft. Dave Hibbert

Sexier Than A Squirrel: Dog Training That Gets Real Life Results

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Ever wondered why your dog performs perfectly at home but seems to forget everything when you're out in public? The secret might lie in understanding the ABCs of dog training.
Dave, a veteran police dog trainer with over two decades of experience, breaks down this deceptively simple framework that has revolutionized how professionals approach dog training. Rather than focusing solely on correcting behaviors, the ABC model—Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence—provides multiple leverage points to create lasting change in your dog's responses.
The conversation dives deep into the "three A's" that precede any behavior: Arousal (your dog's energy level), Area (the training environment), and Actions (what you and others are doing). Through vivid examples from both high-stakes police work and everyday training scenarios, Dave illustrates how manipulating these elements can transform seemingly stubborn behavioral issues without resorting to punishment.
One particularly fascinating insight reveals how what we perceive as punishment might actually be reinforcing to our dogs—like the Malinois who fights harder against the leash correction because the struggle itself is rewarding. This perspective shift helps explain why some training approaches backfire despite our best intentions.
Whether you're working with a high-drive working dog or a family pet, understanding this framework empowers you to troubleshoot training challenges more effectively. By becoming aware of how these elements interact, you'll gain new tools to set your dog up for success rather than repeatedly correcting failures.
Ready to transform your approach to dog training? Listen now and discover why changing what happens before a behavior often matters more than what happens after it. Share your own training breakthrough moments with us and join the conversation!

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Chapters

1. The ABCs of Dog Training: Simple Principles for Powerful Results ft. Dave Hibbert (00:00:00)

2. Welcome to Sex and the Squirrel Podcast (00:00:09)

3. Introducing the ABCs of Dog Training (00:01:03)

4. The Three A's: Arousal, Area, and Actions (00:05:01)

5. Real-World Applications in Dog Training (00:11:37)

6. Training Challenges and Incremental Learning (00:20:34)

7. The C in ABCs: Understanding Consequences (00:28:24)

8. Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways (00:33:54)