u/Agreeable_Summer3685

I just finished this course from the TWC site and wanted to give a short review in case anyone was considering getting it as well.

It’s an awesome course with several interesting case studies. This was the original “Make Your Dog Somebody” and it definitely sold me on the California and New England versions once I can afford them lol. The cases in this one had a lot to do with play which has helped me so far.

What I don’t like: It’s expensive. Ivan’s Cornerstone Collection is $100 less ($397), I would have been much happier paying $397 for this course. I’m not a cheap prick but this was a bit pricey. Regardless, I’m going to follow through with the other versions as they seem even more interesting.

So much progress, and so much not shown. I never shy away from showing aversive tools etc. to the point of being obviously obnoxious sometimes, but in all seriousness the truth is with any good protocol that involves punishment (in my opinion), the punishment is such a small portion of the training. But it’s 100% a part of it.

I use so much more positive reinforcement. So much play (even though I suck at play lol) and it has made such a huge difference, I can’t oversell it.

Now I can get into a somewhat okay possession game and my dog will stay engaged with me and ignore my brother. He could not do this before. He could ignore him (for the most part) but to feel comfortable playing while brother was in the next room made me so happy.

Yes, I’m a clumsy numb nuts and accidentally stepped on his paw so he yelped. What happens when I try fumbling and bumbling my phone to record lol. But the positive side of that is that he stayed pretty engaged in the play and didn’t get spooked away, so he’s only gaining more confidence and continuing to get more engaged in play…. At least I think lol.

Another banger from Ivan

Also part of the process to building a bulletproof recall. Letting him do and express what he desires. Finding, stalking, chasing deer. But then having to return to me when I ask.

Especially after practicing being around lots of stressful people and dogs. Allowing him to have this outlet is key.

Showing a mild punishment event with zero fallout afterwards. Sorry for the bad quality.

Was recording to see if my dog would react to the neighborhood menace dog since I thought he may have been outside. You can see my dog was waiting for it.

He wasn’t outside but coincidentally the neighbor across the street had a dog out that I hadn’t noticed before. My dog ended up going after him, but sort of haphazardly so my punishment event was mild, probably a bit too much so.

What I could have done better: I could have used more intensity for my interrupter but we’ll see if this event was taken as true punishment when I run my second trial tomorrow. I say this because you can see my dog still focused on the neighbor dog etc. versus looking at me like “oh crap” after the interruption. Clear sign my interruption may not have been intense enough but we’ll see.

I could have added MUCH more social pressure. I was too concerned with fumbling my phone like a moron but was determined to try showing the effects of the collar in this scenario.

But you can see ZERO fallout. The punishment was contingent. Punishment is about learning. It’s not about pain, fear, and all these other buzz words.

By a lot of people’s standards, the level on my collar was pretty darn high. Not even a peep out of him. And he wasn’t SERIOUSLY interrupted.

Goes to show also that people that judge electric don’t have a lot of knowledge on the tool.