- Sep 7, 2025
- 274
- 287
Something I’ve been thinking about lately after watching a lot of “big name” trainers.
If you watch Ivan Balabanov, you’ll see pressure, clarity, and accountability.
If you watch Michael Ellis, you’ll see play, mechanics, and clean communication.
If you watch Jay Jack, you’ll hear about relationship, consent, and emotional safety.
If you watch Bart Bellon, you’ll see structure, thresholds, specificity.
Different methods. Different philosophies. Different languages.
But here’s the part people miss:
None of these trainers are magic. None of them are transferable as is to your dog. The reason they look so good isn’t because they found “the one true method.” It’s because they understand timing, context, and the dog in front of them. Most handler frustration doesn’t come from “bad training.” It comes from trying to cosplay someone else’s system without understanding why it works. Your dog doesn’t need you to train like a famous trainer. Your dog needs you to be clear, fair, consistent, and present. Steal concepts. Steal ideas. Learn from the greats. But stop trying to be them.
That’s when things actually start to click.
If you watch Ivan Balabanov, you’ll see pressure, clarity, and accountability.
If you watch Michael Ellis, you’ll see play, mechanics, and clean communication.
If you watch Jay Jack, you’ll hear about relationship, consent, and emotional safety.
If you watch Bart Bellon, you’ll see structure, thresholds, specificity.
Different methods. Different philosophies. Different languages.
But here’s the part people miss:
None of these trainers are magic. None of them are transferable as is to your dog. The reason they look so good isn’t because they found “the one true method.” It’s because they understand timing, context, and the dog in front of them. Most handler frustration doesn’t come from “bad training.” It comes from trying to cosplay someone else’s system without understanding why it works. Your dog doesn’t need you to train like a famous trainer. Your dog needs you to be clear, fair, consistent, and present. Steal concepts. Steal ideas. Learn from the greats. But stop trying to be them.
That’s when things actually start to click.