Straight Up – There Are Some Really Warped Dog Trainers Out There.
I’ve been entertaining an “Anonymous” dog trainer on my roberthynesdogtraining.com and now – yourdogisnotbroken.org. He won’t reveal himself – and he’s telling me that he’s contacting people that are posting to the video I did with Mark. Feel free, it’s a free country. People can do as they please – if you can help them – feel free. He claims he set up a google meet.
But he posted his responses to these owners – is this private information? Well – he made it public on my blog. What possible reason would you have to post this to my blog if not a pissing contest. These are dog owners, human beings that are desperate for help. And you are using them as pawns in your sick game? Pawns in a pissing contest?
For dog owners – I would love to get a show of hands. How many dog owners have NOT been given this same advice? He’s telling dog owners to be alert and reactive when walking their dog? That won’t achieve calm – for the dog or the owner.
Number 2 – the very object of the science of behaviour is discovering its’ causes – B.F Skinner. How does one discover causes? Through discussion. When people join the group – they are asked to answer and post a series of questions. And these questions are geared to give us some direction on where you are with your dog. Then we ask the dog owner questions to try to understand why the dog is acting the way it is. Why? Because we are going to focus on the cause. If you don’t understand the “why” – the very cause – then you’re are going to end up throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. Dog training is a solution without a diagnosis – dog training doesn’t care about the cause.
Begin the trainers comment.
Well, I just checked it and there is three people having trouble with their dogs, another one mocking on you and a couple praising you (probably they’re from a cult).
Please tell the one that has a mastiff and the one with a hunting dog that I can help them for free. In fact, since I am a good human being, redirect them to this site so they see that your blog is garbage, and that I am willing to help. I will leave this comment for everyone having the same problem:
OWNER WITH MASTIFF (name redacted)
From what you’ve described, your female mastiff behavior seems to be context-specific. It’s not uncommon for dogs to react more intensely in familiar environments, as they may feel more territorial or protective. The fact that she behaves well in various other locations indicates that the routine of your daily walk might trigger a specific response in her.
It’s key to identify the specific triggers that lead to her reactivity. If she reacts when she sees dogs at a certain distance, try to keep her below that threshold. This means being aware of your surroundings and potentially changing your route or time of walking to limit encounters with other dogs.
Since she is fine in other environments, it might help to gradually desensitize her to the situations that provoke her reactivity. Start by having her observe dogs from a distance in your neighborhood where she’s reactive, and reward her for calm behavior. If she notices another dog and remains calm, that’s when you’d provide treats or praise.
Teaching her an alternative behavior can be very effective. Work on commands like “look at me” or “watch” to redirect her attention back to you when she begins to get tense. This will take practice, and starting outside of your typical walking path where she is less reactive can help solidify this behavior.
Given her history of being abandoned, there may be underlying anxiety or fear-based behavior. If you haven’t already, consider consulting a certified dog trainer or behaviorist who specializes in reactivity. They can observe her in person and provide tailored strategies.
If possible, take short walks in quieter areas where you can reinforce her calmness and slowly work up to the busier routes.
You mentioned she doesn’t seem interested in toys or treats during walks, but sometimes trying interactive elements (like a favorite toy) or engaging her in a fun game during walks could shift her focus away from potential triggers.
If behavioral interventions don’t yield improvement, consult with a veterinarian. Sometimes underlying health issues can contribute to behavioral challenges. Additionally, in some cases, a consultation with a veterinary behaviorist for medication considerations might be beneficial.
NOW, TO THE OTHER OWNER WITH HUNTING DOGS (name redacted):
Start by walking him in less crowded parks or at times when there are fewer dogs around, slowly increasing the level of distraction as he becomes more comfortable. This can help him learn to regulate his excitement.
Consider incorporating training exercises or fun activities during walks, such as practicing commands or engaging in sniffing games. Encouraging him to use his nose in more directed ways can also make the experience enjoyable while reducing his urge to pull and bark. Introduce commands like “sit” or “watch me” when he starts to get aroused. Reward him with treats or praise when he responds, reinforcing the desired behavior of staying calm and focused on you.
It’s great that you’ve observed he’s more chilled in natural wildlife areas. You can use this knowledge in training sessions. Take him to these calmer places and practice commands, rewarding him for staying relaxed in the presence of distractions. This will help solidify the idea that while excitement is normal, calm behavior is more rewarding.
stablish a consistent routine for your walks. Predictability can provide a sense of security for dogs which can help reduce anxiety. Include varied routes and environments to keep walks interesting for him while still incorporating training elements.
That’s it. I hope both of you with this advice can achieve the best dog possible.
Cheers! Any doubt contact me both.
Hahaha, imagine a trainer so desperate for clients that he spends all his time on other people’s social media instead of working with dogs. Clearly, he’s just trying to drum up business from vulnerable dog owners. If he actually cared about dogs, he’d be looking for the root causes of i behaviour not relying on control, management, and manipulation with tools and treats to keep owners trapped in an endless cycle of dog training- clearing just $$$$$$ grab.
Oh, Robert and Rosy, the dynamic duo of dog training misunderstandings! It’s almost as if I’ve stumbled into a comedy club where the punchlines are just as confused as you two seem to be about real dog training.
Robert, you present yourself as some kind of dog behavior messiah, but let’s be real—your arguments are about as coherent as Monty trying to make sense of a basic fetch game! It’s rich to hear you criticize me for “relying on control and manipulation” when all you seem to do is manipulate your audience with oversimplified dogma. You act like you’ve crafted a PhD thesis on canine behavior while you’re really just passing out pamphlets at the dog park. If understanding behavior is your goal, you might want to engage your brain before starting a rant. Just saying!
And speaking of engagement, Rosy, your brand of “support” for Robert is about as useful as a cardboard umbrella in a rainstorm! Did Choppa write your rebuttals? Because no dog I know would bark at their own shadow quite as eagerly as you’re barking up the wrong tree here. Sorry for replying that late, I have been working with dog clients for 8 hours now! Accusing me of trapping owners in a cycle of dog training? Really? Sounds like someone is projecting a bit! Maybe you’re worried that if owners actually learn how to train their dogs effectively, they’ll stop coming to you for advice and just start Googling it.
Here’s a thought: Instead of blaming me for “drumming up business,” maybe just give Choppa a few treats and let him figure out that whole “sit” command. You know, lead by example! Besides, if you’re so concerned about helping those “vulnerable dog owners,” perhaps a bit of humility wouldn’t go amiss. After all, there’s a fine line between being passionate about dog training and just being plain delusional.
Oh look, he’s back. I told you, give the trainer the rope and they will hang themselves. You already did. If you think you’re intimidating me or that I’m scared of you? You’re triggered and you’re in for a whole lot of you aint seen nothing yet.
Did you take a class on dramatic monologues while I wasn’t looking? Because you sure know how to build suspense, but spoiler alert: it’s not intimidating, just entertaining. Seriously, calling me desperate for a few clients?
But hey, I get it, your strategy is to throw a tantrum and hope it sticks. Keep trying, buddy! The only thing you’ve successfully trained is your ability to make snarky comments. I’d recommend a good sit for you, but judging by your track record, I wouldn’t want to set the bar that low. Just remember, if Choppa ever needs tips on how to deal with overly sensitive pet owners, tell Rosy, I’m just a bark away!
Keep flapping your gums. Oh, Mark and I are just getting warmed up. This video triggered many. The next one is going to shake cages.
And by the way, I know who you are 😀
Then, let me join that Facebook group. Please.
Ah heck, why not, feel free. https://www.facebook.com/groups/540079038188077
Hi Rob Dog Trainer, what is your mission here? It is quite amusing to read your creative comments but it definitely won’t change my mind 😉 Those people that are interested in following Roberts advice and learn from him are tired of standard dog training talk because it doesn’t help their dog’s reactivity long term.
Maybe just try to accept that there is a different way to treat dogs instead of obsessing over it.
I doubt you’ll get a response at this point. He’s over on my roberthynesdogtraining.com website requesting that I remove all his postings on both sites. Request denied, you said it – you wear it like a badge of honor.
Catherine, your thoughts on the limitations of “standard” dog training discourse resonate deeply. Your desire to move beyond typical training jargon is commendable. Understanding that each dog is a unique character—much like a beloved cast of quirky sitcom characters—calls for an approach that embraces individuality. Let’s face it: our pets are not just animals; they’re family, each with their own peculiarities, and they undoubtedly deserve training methods that acknowledge that.
I initially started commenting on another blog by Robert because he was disparaging every single dog trainer out there. When I explained the C.A.T. method—often misunderstood in the dog training community as synonymous with negative reinforcement, which many mistakenly equate with pressure from a leash—he didn’t attempt to grasp its nuances. Instead, he insulted both me and my clients, dismissing the value of alternative training perspectives without consideration. If he had taken the time to understand what it entailed, he would know that it’s rooted in the work of several Radical Behaviorists.
And yes, I’m not ashamed to admit that I requested the removal of my comments. I recognize that I may have crossed the line at times, and I apologize if my words were too harsh. However, there’s something that genuinely bothers me, and I’d like to express it.
Having dedicated over 20 years to my work as a dog trainer, I find it particularly frustrating when my experience is criticized. This is especially the case when the criticism comes from individuals living in a country where many training tools are prohibited and who don’t use them themselves. For me, being a trainer involves a deep commitment to animal welfare and an understanding of canine behavior, and it’s disheartening to see my title and experience attacked without consideration for the context in which I operate.
Additionally, the fact that someone can observe a discussion that started out less contentious evolve into something else could lead people to perceive the website as lacking seriousness. To be honest, I wouldn’t want that to happen to me. While I am not using my last name, which makes it difficult for anyone to relate this discussion to my identity, others involved in the conversation (even those just mentioned) could be identified.
P.S.: I almost forgot.
Catherine, you could be the evidence Robert doesn’t want to show. Could you explain what the problem was with your dog and how Robert’s method helped you? That might enlighten me and finally help me understand if what he claims makes any sense. I mean, as I said before, he never showed the dog before he talked to the client and neither afterward. So I told him that we would never know how the dog behaved before, what changed, and what the client did (not just in terms of saying, “now I trust my dog,” because, to be honest, that seems too vague to me; I mean more concrete details, like “now I do x, y, and z, and his behavior is getting better”).
By the way, I am still waiting the PhD response. I will post it here.
By the way, my mistake: When I said “This is especially the case when the criticism comes from individuals living in a country where many training tools are prohibited and who don’t use them themselves.” I meant “This is especially the case when the criticism comes toward me, as I live in a country where many training tools are prohibited and I don’t use them myself.”.
I tagged Catherine in the facebook group and asked her to respond to you. It has to come from a successful dog owner to get it through to your thick head. You take a dump on people like me – and Mark Dubose. Here is the issue for Mark – the entire dog training community views him as a traitor now – even Dale McCluskey removed the 5 star rating that he gave Mark. and oh, heads are spinning. Mark Dubose is on video praising Dog Daddy – yes – there is no denying that. But back then, he didn’t understand the science. But his past experience combined with his current understanding of the actual science of behavior – that makes Mark Dubose more dangerous than I am. He is the most dangerous man in the entire dog training community. And dog trainers are now running like rats in response to the Negative Reinforcement that Mark has become.
Will one “dog trainer” sit down and actually read a book? The entire dog training community blames B.F Skinner for all this garbage. Read this book and then come back and reread all of your comments. https://roberthynesdogtraining.com/books/skinneraboutbehaviourism.pdf
I will wait for Catherine’s response so she can provide any real evidence, at least in terms of words.
I’ve never blamed B.F. Skinner for anything, Robert.
Then what gives you any right to even talk about the word behaviour? Let alone trainers putting behaviourist on their business cards? Skinner is the father of operant conditioning. This is the crux of the issue – trainers making up their own behaviour sciences. And people are screaming why isn’t this working? Now we start over – the 3 letter acronyms with zero scientific basis.
And you are still here arguing.
Have a read of this blog while you are at it.
https://www.yourdogisnotbroken.org/2025/03/09/separation-of-dog-training-and-the-science-of-behaviour-is-necessary/
It’s interesting. Now that Rosy and Catherine are here – why are you so quiet? You made all these demands – they met your demands. They don’t deserve a response? They don’t deserve anything? Not convenient to you?
As Mark and I do more podcasts – we are going to bring successful dog owners on to talk about their journeys. Their voices are going to carry alot more iron than mine and Marks combined. Our last live garnered alot of attention and freaked a few trainers out. Our next live is going to hit hard at what punishment really is. That should get some eyes spinning around in their sockets.
I’m still waiting for the link of your Dr that’s going to debunk that blog.
First, I am in a different time zone, living in Europe. That’s why I didn’t respond to the messages earlier; I needed to sleep and then go to work. Please don’t try to make it look like something else, because it’s not. Now, regarding your three messages:
Message 1:
As I mentioned, I’ve never blamed B.F. Skinner for anything. I believed when I spoke on youro ther blog that you are misunderstanding some key concepts from his work, as we discussed there (I am not going to say the same stuff I have already said about it because we could be here for ages).
And Robert, what gives you the right to call yourself a behaviorist (which I can prove you have done)? Have you read B.F. Skinner’s work? So have I, and you can’t deny that. And I don’t claim to be a behaviorist on my business card; I simply identify as a dog trainer. Still, I have successfully helped many clients with dogs that were reactive, aggressive, or suffering from separation anxiety, among other “problems”. Based on your assertions, perhaps I am a behaviorist myself since I’ve read Skinner. I have been successful without needing to use treats or tools you’ve mentioned that are, in fact, prohibited to sell and use in my country.
Your statement about the three-letter acronym is ridiculous and I am going to pass on it. C.A.T. is based on real scientific principles. I have read Skinner. Would you be willing to read other behaviorist works? If so, I encourage you to do so. I will provide among others PDFs of master’s theses that started C.A.T. Additionally, I have included a PDF from a zoologist who has seen great success using the method with various types of animals. I myself have applied C.A.T. with several clients and their dogs, and I have observed impressive results in less than a few sessions. The reason there aren’t many studies on C.A.T. is that the dog training community (both balanced and positive) has demonized it since 2007 because it uses negative reinforcement, and many people struggle to understand what that actually means. They spread information about it and most dog trainers refuse to engage with it because of that.
https://atamember.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Goldiamond_1974_2002-Toward-a-Constructional-Approach-to-social.pdf
A Programing Contingency Analysis of Mental Health – Israel Goldiamond
Social Casework – Israel Goldiamond
https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=ad98d4d59ad89f0778641ab32949dc956c921814
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc862823/m2/1/high_res_d/KATZ-THESIS-2016.pdf
https://animaltrainingfundamentals.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Heidenreich-Constructional-Approach.pdf
https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/b6cb94cd-d959-458c-9226-5caa6c0ff987/SMCOrangutanSALZER.pdf
Message 2:
Sorry, I don’t feel identified as the targe of this blog you wrote. I agree that Robert Caabral t-shirt is quite stupid. And I do care about the causes. Always first (if the owners want, sometimes they don’t want to because x reason) I try to convince them to run a blood test, thyroid test, etc. to check if the dog is fine, as well as to identify if the dog has any sort of pain that we can’t see and could be provoquing the behavior, so I don’t need neither to waste my time and their money. Neither I feel related to The Anti_Dog_Trainer since he makes a fool of himself admitting he doesn’t care (I think I read that on one of his comments he was proud of never reading any book at all, not even a novel). The rest of the blog is the same things I have seen you write about, with somes as I have said and will not repeat myself I agree and with others I disagree.
Message 3:
As I said, I am not quiet. I was sleeping. I indeed asked Catherine for her to say what was the change she saw on her dog. They don’t deserve my reply? Not convenient for me? What? Why it would be?
Now, I agree with your podcast idea: Bring dog owners, but let them speak. Let me be clear, I saw a couple of your consults, and it’s normal that there you’re speaking quite a lot for people (and your clients) to understand what is your view on Skinner work and how they can work with their dog, but on the podcast if you can let them expalin themselves what was their specific “issue” with the behavior their dog was exhibiting, what they changed after they consult you or Mark and, one important thing that would be interesting, at what extent they can rely on their trust with their dog? Meaning, they can now have their dog off leash? Or they still have the leash on him? Does ever still the dog reacts if, for example, they don’t meet its needs for some days? Etc.
Now, regarding punishment, I have never ever used it with my dogs or my client’s dogs. Of course, when I teach obedience because the client asks me for it, or dog tricks, I use treats, but for other things I do not (neither for scent work). Now, in the other comment I did sending a small protocol to the two YouTube comments, I did it with a lot of typical dog training techniques that require treats. Why? Because at least one of them told me he felt more secured carrying a bag full of treats since it helped to at least “distract” his dog, and that in the beginnign he still would do it.
Now, Ph.D. Behavior Analysis I sent your blog for him to react on it hasn’t reply yet. No, he is not avoiding anything, don’t start talking about conspiracy theories. I have had contact with him for several years now, but it’s true that he is a professor at a university and sometimes it takes some weeks for him to reply me back, since I have to email him to his university email account and he has to put his students first (of course). When he replys I will write it here, as I have said. I am not avoiding anything even if you want to make it look that way.
Oh we are going to have some fun you and I. First of all – you made demands out of Rosy and Catherine – but don’t have the courtesy to respond to them first. You lambaste me instead? Instead of embarassing yourself an accusing me – you’re going to learn to ask questions of me. i don’t call myself a behaviourist – I use the term to represent B.F Skinner. Keep your responses short – cause I have no interest in the reading what you’re posting. Why? Because you don’t give me a reason to – you can catch more bees with honey than you can shit.
Then I won’t respond to any of your comments. If you’re not willing to read, neither will I, and I will answer whomever I want. You call yourself a behaviorist, and there is plenty of evidence in your dog park videos featuring your clients’ dogs. Many people have asked you there if you are a behaviorist, and you know what your response was? ‘Yes.’
I just replied to Catherine, and I did indeed reply to Rosy. But be aware, those replies are for them, not for you. If you comment on them, I won’t read what you say because that’s what you do when I reply to you.
You’re a funny person; you ask those uneducated people on YouTube to read B.F. Skinner, yet you laugh when I suggest you try to read something, and you claim is “shit” even without reading it. You know what is the definition of that? Closed-minded, dismissive, selectively interested and confirmation bias.
Cheers!
What part of be nice – and we can have a real conversation do you not understand? There is a reason why you requested all of your posts be deleted. Why was that? I carry the addage – treat me good, I’ll treat you better. Treat me bad and I’ll treat you worse.
I can’t handle liars, they are in my top 5. If I catch you in one lie – i have zero interest in carrying on a conversation. Cause I will question everything coming out of your mouth.
What gives any dog trainer the right to call themselves a behaviourist? They can’t even define the word.
Have a lovely day and don’t come back. And thank you for the entertainment value.
Nice? In your other blog, I didn’t attack you at the beginning until you started, and I quote some of your early responses: “Keep your answers short – because I’m not wasting my time with all this,” and “Dog trainers are cowards.”
I couldn’t care less that the things I wrote are still there, on both of your blogs. The reason I was asking for you to delete mos of it was to steer the discussion towards a less heated conversation, as it had escalated quite a bit. It has no bearing on me or my work since there are plenty of Robs in Europe, and probably has more repercusion than on any external people entering the blog for the first time than anything else.
If that’s the case, then don’t read anything, and don’t try to argue against any of it to prove your point. Now, don’t start saying dumb things like “And how quiet you are” because I have some things to do.
Cheers.
It’s nice to know my entertainment value keeps spirits high —let’s just say I’m off to explore even more interesting places!
Go belly up to Chris and Dale. I can only laugh at all these fake behaviourists lining up behind Dale. A man that can’t walk a dog without choking it. My old boss would call that a great career move.
Keep lying. I don’t have nothing in common with Dale’s view on dog training.
Cheers.
Weren’t you the one that was going to belly up to Christian and Anti? Guess who they are bellied up to? You’re trapped in your own words. You said it – you wear it. Own it.
Explain yourself better and stop using slang words. I cannot understand what you just said. If you mean I have any professional relationship with Dale, Chris, Anti or whoever they’re, I don’t. I am from Europe and I think they’re from the States. I don’t acare about them and I think, at least for the videos I saw from the first two, they just don’t know how to work with dogs and they abuse them by using aversive tools and poor handle of the leash.
Cheers.
Oh right – you actually took the time to explore their views and declared them full of it. We are all full of it according to you. By the way, Mark and I are going live tonite. And do you have the link as yet? Still waiting for someone to actually debunk what I’m saying.
I would like to request the removal of all my comments from your blog posts. The reason for this is that I’m currently exploring the views of @christianhershman2786 and @The_Anti_Dog_Trainer. While I appreciate our discussions (it was fun trying to find proper analogies with humour) and I respect (and deny) your perspective, I want to clarify that I do not align with the beliefs of those two individuals, who I see as garbage, they’re full of shit.”
What I meant when I said “exploring their views” is that I was trying to say “exploring their videos.” Specifically, this video of Dale:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXXQ8KsoL6c
That’s why my full comment you quoted continued as follows, addressing Dale’s point of view:
“I see you’ve brought up Lawrence Hinman’s paper ‘Can Skinner Tell a Lie?’ as if it’s some kind of holy grail of hyper-critique. Sure, philosophical debates are fun and all—like arguing whether a hot dog is a sandwich—but let’s not forget that Skinner’s theories are less about deep existential crises and more about, you know, actual results.”
And I still stand by my statement: “I want to clarify that I do not align with the beliefs of those two individuals, who I see as garbage; they’re full of shit.” I do think they’re full of shit, just as you said. Why? Because they have never read any books or papers, nor do they have the slightest interest in doing so. Additionally, they have videos where they abuse dogs, choking them and making them more fearful, showing zero respect towards them. Do you think I need to debunk them too? I did that in the same comment. Let me quote it back:
“I see you’ve brought up Lawrence Hinman’s paper ‘Can Skinner Tell a Lie?’ as if it’s some kind of holy grail of hyper-critique. Sure, philosophical debates are fun and all—like arguing whether a hot dog is a sandwich—but let’s not forget that Skinner’s theories are less about deep existential crises and more about, you know, actual results.
First off, Skinner’s empirical approach to psychology gave us tools that work every day. His operant conditioning isn’t just a fancy term to impress your friends at a party; it’s been used to train everything from dogs to your cousin’s wildly rebellious parakeet. Saying Skinner didn’t have a grasp on practical applications is like saying a chef doesn’t know how to boil water—utterly ridiculous.
And let’s not overlook José Antonio Marina, who’s out there juggling the complexities of behavior like a circus performer on a unicycle. Marina combines cognitive processes with behavioral insights, showing that learning can be fun and effective. Think of it as Skinner with a dash of Mediterranean flair. If that guy can successfully teach us something about human behavior without knocking Skinner off his pedestal, then perhaps we should reevaluate just how nihilistic one can be about behaviorism.
Now, regarding Hinman’s assertion that Skinner promotes epistemological nihilism, I have to ask: Does he even know what that means, or was it just the longest word he could find to sound smart? Skinner was simply saying, ‘Hey, let’s focus on what we can see and measure,’ not ‘Let’s all climb into a metaphysical hot tub and ponder the meaning of life.’
In the world of psychology, let’s stick to methods that produce results, like Skinner’s, rather than getting lost in philosophical yarns that may as well come with an accompanying quilt. If you want to advance the understanding of behavior, why not start with some solid principles rather than trying to debunk the guy who has helped shape modern psychological practice?
So, let’s raise a toast to Skinner (preferably a nice, observable glass of water) and remember that while philosophical debates are entertaining, Skinner’s work is the real deal—proven, practical, and ready for action.”
Furthermore, I have already argued with you about your point of view on Skinner. I provided you with clear recommendations on another radical behaviorist you should read, along with papers and psychologists you should explore. However, I am not interested in arguing with someone who has only read one author and who has misunderstood some of that author’s points on psychology, as I have mentioned several times with arguments, and you declared, “I am not going to read anything.” Now enjoy your live session with Mark, who seems at least to be a decent human being, and stop comparing me to those dog abusers.
Cheers.
Lawrence Hinman is a philosopher – not a psychologist. You’re like Guy Winthrop – he makes a statement that Noam Chomsky read all of Skinner and disagreed with him and runs away. This is the bullshit that you’re pushing and you haven’t got a clue.
Mark and I are doing a live tonite, you should watch it. This one is going to have heads spinning all over – I guarantee it. We are going deep into punishment – Edward Thorndike and every trainers favorite person – Konrad Most. No more hiding Konrad in the background. Drop in, you’re going to love it. You might even get mention 🙂
Please, reread this whole conversation with Mark.
Probably he will make you think twice before you write on your keyboard.
LET’S COMPARE:
ROBERT HYNES:
“Lawrence Hinman is a philosopher – not a psychologist.”
ME:
“I see you’ve brought up Lawrence Hinman’s paper ‘Can Skinner Tell a Lie?’ as if it’s some kind of holy grail of hyper-critique. Sure, PHILOSOPHICAL debates are fun and all…
Skinner’s theories are less about deep existential crises and more about, you know, actual results.”
Do you realize that was a reply from me to Dale’s video since he was bringing up Lawrence Hinman’s ideas on B.F. Skinner? I never claimed I liked Hinman or agreed with him. I was simply addressing a point in the conversation. Do you even try to comprehend what you read? For God’s sake.
When we’re talking, it’s important to know the whole story! Someone mentioned a toy (like Lawrence Hinman) in a discussion about how to play with other toys (like Skinner’s ideas). I didn’t say I like that toy; I just talked about the game we were playing and how it connects to other games.
So, when I replied to Dale, I was trying to say that Hinman’s ideas don’t really change the fact that Skinner’s work is practical and helps us with training. I’m not saying I agree with Hinman; I was just saying that philosophical discussions are different from actually training dogs.
You find one person that able and willing to put their face on camera and debunk Skinner. anti fully admitted that he could care less about Skinner or any science surrounding behaviour. I guarantee you that Dale hasn’t read Skinner either. But look at them go. I haven’t met one trainer yet that invested any time into behavioural sciences – they don’t give 2 shits. But here you are pushing crap from dog trainers that couldn’t find their ass with a map. Think about what you’re saying. This ignorance is killing dogs by the millions and destroying dog owners lives.
Pushing what crap?
When I mentioned “exploring their views,” I was specifically referring to the videos and arguments presented by those individuals, not endorsing or agreeing with them. I maintain that Skinner’s work has led to effective, observable outcomes in behavior—for dogs and many other species.
You’ve pointed out that the trainers you know are not invested in behavioral science or the research surrounding it. That’s why I stress the importance of foundational knowledge in psychology and behaviorism. If we’re going to discuss effective dog training, we can’t ignore the science behind it. If those you’re debating haven’t engaged with relevant literature or practical training techniques, then their critiques lack a solid basis.
I have also criticized Dale, Chris, and Anti for being ignorant and unwilling to read a complete book to deepen their understanding of the subject. I am 100% sure they’ve never even read a novel.
Additionally, as I have stated, I have read Skinner. While I appreciate his work, I find myself aligning more with Goldiamond’s approaches, which I often use in dog training. He, too, is a radical behaviorist.
Cheers.
Show this message to Mark and let’s see if he can make you understand my point.
All you have done is argue. You even said you have a Phd that’s willing to debunk my blog. In order to debunk that blog – they need to debunk skinner. and they cannot. You need to step back rethink everything you’ve said on both my websites. You came at me – anonymous by the way cause you’re too scared to expose yourself. That is cowardly. I don’t care how you slice it or dice it – it’s cowardly. And you expect me to take a coward seriously?
Arguing can lead to deeper insights, so I welcome the debate.
It seems you may be avoiding a response to my last reply because deep down, you know I have valid points in what I just expressed. Instead, you resort to the same arguments—labeling me as anonymous, unwilling to understand, or calling me a coward, among others.
Regarding the PhD I consulted about your blog, I hope to receive his feedback as soon as possible, although I understand that he is currently busy with exams. For your reference, here is his information:
https://hps.unt.edu/people/jesus-rosales-ruiz-phd.html
While I can’t predict whether he will fully debunk your claims or only address certain aspects, I am confident that he possesses considerably more education—and courtesy—than the way you have chosen to treat others.
Cheers.
Why should I read anything you post? Why should I put any stake or value in anything a coward has to say?
If you really want to talk to me? Put your face on camera and lets talk. But you’re too scared to.
Finally, we see the real you. Your apparent strategy here is to rely on insults rather than engage in meaningful discourse.
I must say, I appreciate the presence of your followers who, unlike you, demonstrate values and respect in our discussions (Catherine, among others). It’s refreshing to see that some can rise above petty remarks.
Cheers.
Oh you are seeing the real me. You come at me anon, a coward, with other people’s opinions of science and expect me to put any stock into it.
You claim to be a dog trainer? How am I supposed to know that you are one? Lots of anonymous accounts flapping their gums all over social media. But you is the expert right? I can’t wait for this live this evening – eyes are going to spin around in their sockets. We are going for maximum damage.
Your familiarity with the art of name-calling is truly fascinating. It’s amusing how you criticize anonymity while ironically hiding behind your own bravado. The beauty of an open dialogue is that it allows us to share ideas and perspectives, yet you seem more interested in tearing others down than fostering constructive discussion.
You raise an interesting point about proving oneself as a dog trainer. It might surprise you, but the true mark of expertise is not necessarily flaunting titles or credentials; it’s the ability to engage with others respectfully and thoughtfully. Perhaps instead of dismissing those who choose to remain anonymous, you might consider the merits of their contributions before labeling them as ‘cowards.’
As for your anticipation of tonight’s live session, I can only wonder what ‘maximum damage’ might entail in your world. Is it truly victory to merely sling mud and incite chaos, or is there a greater aim? After all, a true expert doesn’t seek to destroy; they seek to enlighten.
Let’s not forget that meaningful conversations can happen even when disagreements arise. I genuinely hope you attract an audience eager for a serious discussion rather than a spectacle of insults. It would be a shame to waste an opportunity to dazzle us with actual insights instead of theatrics.
Looking forward to witnessing just how high the bar for ‘maximum damage’ really is.
Cheers.
Good. another viewer. We are going to have alot of views tonite. Other trainers have tagged me with their videos and we will be discussing their videos on our live – using science. I’ve already let them know – and funny how they won’t respond now?
Dog trainers are coming at us because they are afraid to lose their jobs. And my friend – rightfully so. Cause that’s exactly my goal. Hope you enjoy the show. 🙂
And let me follow this up with reinforcement. Dog trainers are not my target. Dog owners are. And all I need do is prove to dog owners that dog trainers are lying to them – and that’s very easily done. You see, people like Rosy and Catherine? They fired their trainers and behaviourists – they will never hire another. Why you ask? Because now, they understand the science – and they understand that dog trainers and behaviourist lied to them – extorted them for money. There is war coming in dog training – and it’s going to be dog owners versus dog trainers. And you are going to lose. It’s not me you have to worry about – it’s the people that you expect to hire you that you have to worry about.
There is my manifesto for the world to see. Have yourself a lovely, lovely day – and do enjoy the show. 🙂
A lot of words with little substance.
Afraid of losing my job?
While I can’t speak to the nuances of your continent, I assure you that here, there are ample dogs to work with and numerous owners eager to help their dogs. In Europe, where the cultural tapestry is rich, many people speak English as a second language, but comprehension and the ability to seek out information in English vary significantly. This suggests that your message may not be as universally impactful as you believe, given that many potential audiences might not fully grasp or engage with content in English. This diversity of thought and experience emboldens me, so I remain unfazed by your assertions.
You seem preoccupied with labels, branding me as a “coward” for my anonymity, yet it’s telling how you hide behind bravado while aiming to undermine my credibility without substantive evidence. I have pursued a constructive approach based on the principles of Israel Goldiamond, achieving results without treats, tools, or gimmicks. Unlike your approach, which seems to rely more on inciting conflict than fostering understanding, I extend a respectful invitation to engage thoughtfully.
It is unfortunate that while many trainers aspire to help dog owners, a resurgence of punitive training methods has also gained followers online —both in Europe and South America. This trend indicates a troubling shift away from scientific understanding and compassionate training. It would benefit our community to challenge such regressive practices, not through hostility, but by promoting education and empathy.
I encourage you to reconsider the merits of knowledge over name-calling. True expertise is reflected not in spectacle or drama but in the ability to empower others with information. As for your upcoming live session, I hope it provides a platform for genuine discourse rather than mere entertainment.
Cheers.
You are right that every dog has an individual personality. I know, because I have had several dogs through my life and they were all completely different. Just as humans are. It doesn’t change how you build a relationship with trust and respect.
Funny enough, the only dog I have had problems with was the dog I used dog training on. Before, when I used my instincts on dogs instead it was much better. Almost everything Robert Hynes says resonates with me. The whole point is that dog training is not needed and that it can actually harm the relationship between dog and owner. I have for instance learned to be completely calm if my dog reacts to anything and let him go through it without me intervening and distracting him. That works! I can also walk my current dog everywhere off leash and he just wants to be with me.
It is not easy to explain it with X, Y and Z because it is not a formula but about respecting the dog, being its best friend and meeting their needs and desires instead of suppressing and forcing them to ‘look at me’ while giving treats or whatever dog trainers tell you to. I have learned a lot after stumbling on Robert and listening to his advices and I know that he has helped many people more directly.
Actually I have not heard about the C.A.T method before, but I am also not interested in any type of dog training anymore. But that doesn’t mean I won’t read about it though – just to see what it is.
Catherine, I appreciate you sharing your experiences and insights regarding your relationship with your dogs. I completely agree that each dog is unique and deserves a tailored approach to training and interaction.
Your feelings about not needing standard training methods resonate with many dog owners who seek alternatives. However, I want to clarify that the aim of methods like C.A.T. isn’t to suppress a dog’s natural instincts or behaviors, which I understand when you write, “instead of suppressing and forcing them to ‘look at me’ while giving treats or whatever dog trainers tell you to.” I have worked with some aggressive and reactive dogs that were being trained by another dog trainer. One of them was an American Staffordshire Terrier whose owners had worked with that trainer for two years. Now, did they achieve anything? Well, they were at least able to keep the dog 5 meters away from another dog before it reacted, whereas two years earlier it was 50 meters. Indeed, there was some sort of success, but for two years, that’s not much, and it required them to adhere to a management protocol. I used C.A.T. with that specific dog, and in one week, the dog was completely different; now they’re even able to take him off-leash to the beach (a thing they loved to do with their previous dog).
I am happy that Robert’s message prompted you to try something else and that you succeeded with it. I truly believe in the importance of building a relationship grounded in trust and respect, and it’s fantastic to hear that you’ve found methods that work well for you and your current dog. Calmness and allowing dogs to process their environment can be incredibly beneficial, and I use similar approaches myself. One example is a dog that pulled frantically on the leash only when he was 200 meters from a park (a regular park, not a dog park). For the rest of the walk, he was fine. Unfortunately, the owners were punishing the dog with harsh corrections on the leash, and the male owner even tried to assert alpha status picking the dog from his collar and putting himself face to face to the dog challenging him with his look. In one session, the problem was solved. We walked, and when the dog started to pull, I stopped walking. The dog began to cry, trying to keep going, and when the owners started to praise the dog with sweet voices because they didn’t want to see their dog “suffering”, I told them to say nothing, and do nothing. Eventually, the dog laid down, and then we continued the walk. We did it just once, and it was done. He (it was a male GSD) never pulled towards the park.
Regarding C.A.T., if you want to read more, I included some links in one of my replies to Robert at the top of this thread. For me, C.A.T. has been really effective since I don’t have to tell the owner, “Do this, do that,” or show them any specific protocol so they have to do X after I am with them. We follow some steps, it’s true, which I explain to them so they understand what I am doing (it might seem like I am not doing anything, since I am only approaching to their dog and then going away). They don’t need to distract their dog, use treats, muzzles, or anything like that. When I worked at a dog shelter where I live, we faced a severe problem due to the large number of stray dogs there is in the Baltic countries, and most people treat their own dogs “less well” than, for example, in Mediterranean countries.
Cheers.
Thanks for your reply, Rob. The ‘say nothing, do nothing approach’ is indeed great in my experience. I’m glad to hear that most tools are prohibited in your country.
I might check out C.A.T. to see what the differences are between that and standard training methods. But when the relationship is in place (based on mutual trust and respect) and the dog sees you as a huge reinforcement, then I truly believe no type of training is needed or beneficial for the relationship at all. Let the dog be a dog. That’s where I am.
Have a good evening.