Zak George on Dog Training’s Future: Science, Advocacy, and Ethics

In this episode, Victoria Stilwell interviews Zak George, a prominent voice in the dog training community, about the importance of ethical dog training methods rooted in science. Zak discusses his journey in dog training, the rise of YouTube in shaping public perception, and the critical need for the industry to embrace non-aversive methods. He highlights the updated 2021 statement from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, stressing that pain and fear are unnecessary and counterproductive in behavior modification. Zak also delves into the ongoing challenges with misinformation and the push for legislation to regulate dog training. They explore the false dichotomy that aversive methods yield faster results, debunking myths around the effectiveness of pain-based corrections. Zak emphasizes the importance of building trust between trainer and dog and the long-term benefits of positive reinforcement over suppression. This episode offers an in-depth look at the future of dog training and the advocacy needed to protect both dogs and their owners. To learn more about Zak, visit https://linktr.ee/zakgeorge.