Jocko Podcast 113 w/ Mike Ritland - Into the Mind of a K9 Warrior.

Training Techniques

Mike Ritland shares his unique approach to dog training, emphasizing the importance of understanding a dog's perspective. He uses practical exercises, like having handlers experience the discomfort of an e-collar, to teach empathy and effective communication. This method helps handlers realize the importance of clear instructions and positive reinforcement.

If your dog doesn't understand, that's what happens. And that's the position you're putting your dog in, and it sucks. So don't do it.

--- Mike Ritland

Ritland also compares dog training to raising children, highlighting the need for consistent consequences and rewards to shape behavior effectively 1.

   

Building Relationships

Building a strong bond between dogs and their handlers is crucial for effective training. Ritland emphasizes that trust and relationship are foundational, drawing parallels between training dogs and developing young fighters. He believes that without this bond, training efforts are futile.

If there isn't trust and relationship there first as the foundation, you're building a shanty on sand.

--- Mike Ritland

Ritland's online training program, Teamdog Pet, focuses on building this relationship first, followed by shaping and reinforcing behavior 2.

   

Behavioral Conditioning

Effective behavioral conditioning involves patience, repetition, and understanding dog psychology. Ritland advises building a bond of mutual trust before demanding obedience, similar to mastering a skill in jiu-jitsu. He stresses the importance of maintaining emotional stability when applying punishments.

Keep emotion out of the evaluation of good and bad and the application of punishments.

--- Jocko Willink

Understanding nonverbal communication is also key, as dogs primarily communicate through body language 3.