Not All Balanced Trainers Are The Same
Ivan BalabanovIvan Balabanov · 영상 · 13분
Not All Balanced Trainers Are The Same
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All right, let's do this real quick. There is something that I want to address because so many of you have been asking the same questions on social media. Why are you doing this? Why are two balanced trainers fighting? This is unprofessional. I understand your reactions. I get it. But I think you're asking maybe the wrong questions. This started because of Robert Cabral sharing his views on my training. What I'll talk briefly here about is professional disagreement, consumer transparency, if you want, and why I finally decided it was important to clearly explain where I stand on this. I've never been shy about sharing my opinions on dog training. Those of you that know me know that. Over the years, I publicly challenged methods and philosophies, studies, narratives, anything that I believe is misleading or harmful to the profession. However, addressing Robert specifically was never any kind of priority to me. I was focused on my work, even though I disagree with much of what he's publicly teaching. Now, that changed when Robert publicly shared his opinion about my training and the methods I teach, characterizing them as abusive and fundamentally problematic or something of sorts. So, stay with this for a moment. At that point, I had no choice. I mean, at that point, I actually had a choice. I could remain silent or respond. And I did respond. Today, I will explain why I disagree with Cabral. Before speaking publicly, I reached out to him multiple times, inviting him to my podcast for a direct conversation. I believe that would be far more valuable than talking about each other from a distance. That conversation never happened. He never responded, not even to decline the invitation, which is totally fine. Robert is well aware of what I think of his training. I have told him this in a private very long time ago. So, now I decided to clearly explain my own position here. Because remaining silent would only allow misconceptions to continue. Every profession advances by challenging ideas, right? Doctors will critique other doctors' techniques. Engineers will critique the design of a building bridge. Whatever. Dog training should be no different. Professional disagreement isn't what damages a profession. Confusing a disagreement with personal hostility does. I'm challenging ideas and making a professional distinction. This is very different from attacking someone's character. I've heard over and over. This is unprofessional. Really?
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I'd like then somebody to define professionalism for me. Does it mean staying silent when you fundamentally disagree? Does it mean pretending that everyone in your profession deserves the same professional respect? Does it mean smiling and nodding simply because someone is popular? I don't think so. Like Robert, I see professionalism as standing behind what you believe. Explaining why. Being willing to defend your position and being willing to have your own ideas challenged in return. No trainer, including me, should be beyond criticism. That's just fine. Another thing I keep hearing is, but Robert is a good guy. He helps shelters. He supports rescue or sport organization. Great. I have absolutely no problem giving someone credit for doing good things. I have worked professionally in shelters myself. I've helped dogs become adoptable. I've seen volunteers with no formal dog training education make incredible contributions to dogs' lives. Yeah, so yeah, helping dogs is admirable. And so is supporting different organizations. But that isn't the discussion. Being generous doesn't automatically make someone an authority on worldwide dog training philosophy or technical standards or what should be taught to the profession. Those are separate conversations. If he decided to give his opinion about my training philosophy, then why wouldn't I share mine with you? And here is something interesting, I think. Many of the same people who are telling me not to criticize another balance or whatever Robert calls himself now trainer are often the first people to privately ask me, what do you think about this trainer? Would you recommend this person? Should I learn from them? Why? Why? Because the industry is confusing. Beginner trainers especially are trying to figure it out. Who they should learn from. They pay attention who respects who, who collaborates with who, as well as who openly disagrees. That's just part of how people navigate a profession, any profession. If people continually assume Robert and I present the same philosophy simply because we are both labeled balanced, then I believe I have an obligation to clarify that we do not. Our philosophies, the interpretations of learning theories, our standards, everything is fundamentally different. I don't think pretending otherwise helps anybody. I've seen people assume I'm trying to elevate myself by criticizing someone else. No, my reputation wasn't built this week, nor it was built on social media. And it certainly wasn't by criticizing other trainers.
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It was built through decades of successful competition, teaching, training many, many dogs, building my training without conflict school. So likes, followers, popularity are not my scoreboards. When somebody tells me, just show your work. Well, that's exactly what I do. I show results. Just not through Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. For those who actually care to listen to my advice, social media is a terrible place to learn a complete philosophy of doctrine. And of course, there are occasions when I share some of my ideas. Sometimes I do post something even for entertainment, too. But I don't teach how I get the results through social media. If someone genuinely wants to understand how I train, not what someone else says about my training, you're welcome to attend any of my seminars, workshops, or sign up for the school if you want. Then you can watch me work for hours, not a few minutes. This is where you can ask me training questions and also challenge my ideas. And then you can make up your mind. That's how I believe serious professionals should be evaluated. One thing I find interesting, some disagree with my conclusions. I have no problem with that whatsoever. All of you are entitled to an opinion, just as I am entitled to mine. Again, Robert publicly shared his professional opinion about my training and my methods. Now I'm doing the same, sharing my professional opinion about his training. There is nothing unusual about that. That's what professionals do sometimes. What surprises me is not that people disagree with my conclusions, but that some people believe I'm not supposed to express them publicly. Also, to be clear here, I'm not asking no one to agree with my analysis. People are free to disagree. That's just healthy stuff. What is less healthy is the expectation that one trainer can publicly criticize another's philosophy, but the response should remain private, simply to avoid making people uncomfortable. I think that creates confusion. So, yeah, I'm not asking anyone to choose my side on this. That's not what it's about. I'm not saying, 21, stop following Robert. You don't have to agree with me. What I'm asking is much simpler. Just stop assuming that everyone labeled balanced trainer believes the same things because we don't. I have zero intention to compare my training to Robert's on social media or to convince anyone that I'm right. It is simply to make it clear that our philosophies are fundamentally different. If anyone is looking for a trainer or trying to understand different approaches, I believe that's an important distinction to understand.
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The reason I'm talking to you now is not because I'm dying here to change your minds. Some people have already decided where they stand, and that's perfectly fine with me. But I also know that there are many of you who have genuinely wanted to understand why I decided to speak publicly and why I felt it was important to draw this line. So this is primarily who this video is for. Whether you agree with me or not, at least now you know where I stand, and more importantly, why I stand there. So that's for now. Hopefully that is enough. Thank you. Thank you.
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All right, let's do this real quick. Um, All right, let's do this real quick. Um, there is something that I want to there is something that I want to there is something that I want to address because so many of you have been address because so many of you have been address because so many of you have been asking the same questions on social asking the same questions on social asking the same questions on social media. Why are you doing this? Why are media. Why are you doing this? Why are media. Why are you doing this? Why are two balance trainers fighting? This is two balance trainers fighting? This is two balance trainers fighting? This is unprofessional. unprofessional. unprofessional. Um, I I understand your reactions. I get Um, I I understand your reactions. I get Um, I I understand your reactions. I get it. But I think you're asking maybe the it. But I think you're asking maybe the it. But I think you're asking maybe the wrong questions. This started because of wrong questions. This started because of wrong questions. This started because of Robert Cabral sharing his views on my Robert Cabral sharing his views on my Robert Cabral sharing his views on my training. training. training. What I'll talk briefly here about is What I'll talk briefly here about is What I'll talk briefly here about is professional disagreement, consumer professional disagreement, consumer professional disagreement, consumer transparency if you want, and why I transparency if you want, and why I transparency if you want, and why I finally decided it was important to finally decided it was important to finally decided it was important to clearly explain where I stand on this. clearly explain where I stand on this. clearly explain where I stand on this. I've never been shy about sharing my I've never been shy about sharing my I've never been shy about sharing my opinions on doct training. opinions on doct training. opinions on doct training. Those of you that know me know that over Those of you that know me know that over Those of you that know me know that over the years I publicly challenge methods the years I publicly challenge methods the years I publicly challenge methods and philosophies, studies, narratives, and philosophies, studies, narratives, and philosophies, studies, narratives, anything that I believe is misleading or anything that I believe is misleading or anything that I believe is misleading or harmful to the profession. harmful to the profession. harmful to the profession. However, However, However, um addressing Robert specifically was um addressing Robert specifically was
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um addressing Robert specifically was never any kind of priority to me. I I never any kind of priority to me. I I never any kind of priority to me. I I was focused on my work even though I was focused on my work even though I was focused on my work even though I disagree with much of what he's publicly disagree with much of what he's publicly disagree with much of what he's publicly teaching. teaching. teaching. Now, that changed when Robert again Now, that changed when Robert again Now, that changed when Robert again publicly shared his opinion about my publicly shared his opinion about my publicly shared his opinion about my training and the methods I teach. training and the methods I teach. training and the methods I teach. characterizing them as abusive and characterizing them as abusive and characterizing them as abusive and fundamentally problematic or something fundamentally problematic or something fundamentally problematic or something of sorts. of sorts. of sorts. So stay with this for a moment. At that point I had no choice. I mean at At that point I had no choice. I mean at that point I actually had a choice. I that point I actually had a choice. I that point I actually had a choice. I could remain silent or respond. could remain silent or respond. could remain silent or respond. And I did respond. And I did respond. And I did respond. to then today I will explain why I to then today I will explain why I to then today I will explain why I disagree with Cababral. Um disagree with Cababral. Um disagree with Cababral. Um before speaking publicly I reached out before speaking publicly I reached out before speaking publicly I reached out to him multiple times to him multiple times to him multiple times inviting him to my podcast for a a inviting him to my podcast for a a inviting him to my podcast for a a direct conversation. I believe that direct conversation. I believe that direct conversation. I believe that would be far more valuable than talking would be far more valuable than talking would be far more valuable than talking about each other from a distance. about each other from a distance. about each other from a distance. That conversation never happened. He That conversation never happened. He That conversation never happened. He never responded. not even to decline the never responded. not even to decline the never responded. not even to decline the invitation which is totally fine. invitation which is totally fine. invitation which is totally fine. Robert is well aware of what I think of Robert is well aware of what I think of
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Robert is well aware of what I think of his training. I have told him this in a his training. I have told him this in a his training. I have told him this in a private very long time ago. So now I private very long time ago. So now I private very long time ago. So now I decided to clearly explain my own decided to clearly explain my own decided to clearly explain my own position here because remaining silent position here because remaining silent position here because remaining silent would only allow misconceptions to would only allow misconceptions to would only allow misconceptions to continue. Every profession Every profession advances by challenging ideas, right? advances by challenging ideas, right? advances by challenging ideas, right? Doctors will critique other doctor's Doctors will critique other doctor's Doctors will critique other doctor's techniques. Um engineers will critique techniques. Um engineers will critique techniques. Um engineers will critique uh the design of a building, bridge, uh the design of a building, bridge, uh the design of a building, bridge, whatever. Dog training should be no whatever. Dog training should be no whatever. Dog training should be no different. Professional disagreement different. Professional disagreement different. Professional disagreement isn't what damages a profession. isn't what damages a profession. isn't what damages a profession. confusing a disagreement with personal confusing a disagreement with personal confusing a disagreement with personal hostility does. I'm challenging ideas hostility does. I'm challenging ideas hostility does. I'm challenging ideas and making a professional distinction. and making a professional distinction. and making a professional distinction. This very different from attacking This very different from attacking This very different from attacking someone's character. someone's character. someone's character. H H H I've heard over and over this is I've heard over and over this is I've heard over and over this is unprofessional. unprofessional. unprofessional. Really? I'd like then somebody to define Really? I'd like then somebody to define Really? I'd like then somebody to define professionalism for me. Does uh does it professionalism for me. Does uh does it professionalism for me. Does uh does it mean staying silent when you mean staying silent when you mean staying silent when you fundamentally disagree? Does it mean fundamentally disagree? Does it mean fundamentally disagree? Does it mean pretending that everyone in your pretending that everyone in your pretending that everyone in your profession deserves the same
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profession deserves the same profession deserves the same professional respect? professional respect? professional respect? Does it mean smiling and nodding simply Does it mean smiling and nodding simply Does it mean smiling and nodding simply because someone is popular? I don't because someone is popular? I don't because someone is popular? I don't think so. think so. think so. Like Robert, I see professionalism as Like Robert, I see professionalism as Like Robert, I see professionalism as standing behind what you believe, standing behind what you believe, standing behind what you believe, explaining why, being willing to defend explaining why, being willing to defend explaining why, being willing to defend your position, and being willing to have your position, and being willing to have your position, and being willing to have your own ideas challenged in return. No your own ideas challenged in return. No your own ideas challenged in return. No trainer, including me, should be beyond trainer, including me, should be beyond trainer, including me, should be beyond criticism. criticism. criticism. That's that's just fine. That's that's just fine. That's that's just fine. Um, another thing I kept hearing is, Um, another thing I kept hearing is, Um, another thing I kept hearing is, "But Robert is a good guy. He helps "But Robert is a good guy. He helps "But Robert is a good guy. He helps shelters. He supports rescue or sport shelters. He supports rescue or sport shelters. He supports rescue or sport organization." organization." organization." Great. I have I have absolutely no Great. I have I have absolutely no Great. I have I have absolutely no problem giving someone credit for doing problem giving someone credit for doing problem giving someone credit for doing good things. I have worked good things. I have worked good things. I have worked professionally in shelters myself. I've professionally in shelters myself. I've professionally in shelters myself. I've helped dogs become adoptable. helped dogs become adoptable. helped dogs become adoptable. I've seen volunteers with no formal dog I've seen volunteers with no formal dog I've seen volunteers with no formal dog training education make incredible training education make incredible training education make incredible contributions to to dogs lives. contributions to to dogs lives. contributions to to dogs lives. Yeah. So yeah, uh helping dogs is Yeah. So yeah, uh helping dogs is Yeah. So yeah, uh helping dogs is admirable and so is supporting admirable and so is supporting admirable and so is supporting different organizations, different organizations,
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different organizations, but that isn't the discussion. Being but that isn't the discussion. Being but that isn't the discussion. Being generous doesn't automatically make generous doesn't automatically make generous doesn't automatically make someone an authority on worldwide someone an authority on worldwide someone an authority on worldwide doctrine philosophy or technical doctrine philosophy or technical doctrine philosophy or technical standards or what should be taught to standards or what should be taught to standards or what should be taught to the profession. Those are separate the profession. Those are separate the profession. Those are separate conversation. If he decided If he decided to give his opinion about my training to give his opinion about my training to give his opinion about my training philosophy, then why wouldn't I share philosophy, then why wouldn't I share philosophy, then why wouldn't I share mine with you? mine with you? mine with you? And here is something interesting. I And here is something interesting. I And here is something interesting. I think many of the same people who are think many of the same people who are think many of the same people who are telling me not to criticize another telling me not to criticize another telling me not to criticize another balance or whatever Robert call calls balance or whatever Robert call calls balance or whatever Robert call calls himself now trainer are often the first himself now trainer are often the first himself now trainer are often the first people to privately ask me what what do people to privately ask me what what do people to privately ask me what what do you think about this trainer? Would you you think about this trainer? Would you you think about this trainer? Would you recommend this person? Should I learn recommend this person? Should I learn recommend this person? Should I learn from them? Why? because the the industry from them? Why? because the the industry from them? Why? because the the industry is confusing. is confusing. is confusing. Beginner trainers especially are trying Beginner trainers especially are trying Beginner trainers especially are trying to figure it out to figure it out to figure it out who they should learn from. They pay who they should learn from. They pay who they should learn from. They pay attention who respects who, who attention who respects who, who attention who respects who, who collaborates with who um as well as who collaborates with who um as well as who collaborates with who um as well as who openly disagrees. That's just part of openly disagrees. That's just part of
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openly disagrees. That's just part of how people navigate a profession, any how people navigate a profession, any how people navigate a profession, any profession. If people continually assume profession. If people continually assume profession. If people continually assume Robert and I present the same philosophy Robert and I present the same philosophy Robert and I present the same philosophy simply because we are both labeled simply because we are both labeled simply because we are both labeled balance, then I believe I have an balance, then I believe I have an balance, then I believe I have an obligation to clarify that we do not. obligation to clarify that we do not. obligation to clarify that we do not. Our philosophies, Our philosophies, Our philosophies, the interpretations of learning the interpretations of learning the interpretations of learning theories, theories, theories, our standards, our standards, our standards, everything is fundamentally different. everything is fundamentally different. everything is fundamentally different. I don't think pretending otherwise helps I don't think pretending otherwise helps I don't think pretending otherwise helps anybody. I've seen people assume anybody. I've seen people assume anybody. I've seen people assume I'm trying to I'm trying to I'm trying to elevate myself by criticizing someone elevate myself by criticizing someone elevate myself by criticizing someone else. No, my reputation wasn't built else. No, my reputation wasn't built else. No, my reputation wasn't built this week, nor it was built on social this week, nor it was built on social this week, nor it was built on social media. And it certainly wasn't by media. And it certainly wasn't by media. And it certainly wasn't by criticizing other trainers. criticizing other trainers. criticizing other trainers. It was built through decades of It was built through decades of It was built through decades of successful competition teaching training successful competition teaching training successful competition teaching training many many dogs building my training many many dogs building my training many many dogs building my training without conflict school. So likes without conflict school. So likes without conflict school. So likes followers popularity are not my followers popularity are not my followers popularity are not my scoreboards. scoreboards. scoreboards. When some somebody tells me When some somebody tells me When some somebody tells me just show your work just show your work just show your work but that's exactly what I do. I show but that's exactly what I do. I show
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but that's exactly what I do. I show results results results just not through Facebook, Instagram or just not through Facebook, Instagram or just not through Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. For those who actually care to YouTube. For those who actually care to YouTube. For those who actually care to listen to my advice, listen to my advice, listen to my advice, social media is a terrible place to social media is a terrible place to social media is a terrible place to learn a complete philosophy of doctrine. learn a complete philosophy of doctrine. learn a complete philosophy of doctrine. And of course, there are occasions when And of course, there are occasions when And of course, there are occasions when I share my uh some of my ideas. I share my uh some of my ideas. I share my uh some of my ideas. Sometimes I do post something even for Sometimes I do post something even for Sometimes I do post something even for entertainment too. entertainment too. entertainment too. But I don't teach how I get the results But I don't teach how I get the results But I don't teach how I get the results through social media. If someone through social media. If someone through social media. If someone genuinely wants to understand how I genuinely wants to understand how I genuinely wants to understand how I train, not what someone else says about train, not what someone else says about train, not what someone else says about my training. You're welcome to attend my training. You're welcome to attend my training. You're welcome to attend any of my seminars, workshops or sign up any of my seminars, workshops or sign up any of my seminars, workshops or sign up for the school. If you want, then you for the school. If you want, then you for the school. If you want, then you can watch me work for hours, not few can watch me work for hours, not few can watch me work for hours, not few minutes. This is where you can ask me minutes. This is where you can ask me minutes. This is where you can ask me training questions and also challenge my training questions and also challenge my training questions and also challenge my ideas and then you can make up your ideas and then you can make up your ideas and then you can make up your mind. That's how I believe serious mind. That's how I believe serious mind. That's how I believe serious professionals should be evaluated. One thing I find interesting, One thing I find interesting, some some disagree with my conclusions. some some disagree with my conclusions. some some disagree with my conclusions. I have no problem with that whatsoever. I have no problem with that whatsoever.
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I have no problem with that whatsoever. You all of you are entitled to an You all of you are entitled to an You all of you are entitled to an opinion. just as I'm entitled to mine. opinion. just as I'm entitled to mine. opinion. just as I'm entitled to mine. Again, Robert publicly shared his Again, Robert publicly shared his Again, Robert publicly shared his professional opinion about my training professional opinion about my training professional opinion about my training and my methods. and my methods. and my methods. Now, I'm doing the same, sharing my Now, I'm doing the same, sharing my Now, I'm doing the same, sharing my professional opinion about his training. professional opinion about his training. professional opinion about his training. There is nothing unusual about that. There is nothing unusual about that. There is nothing unusual about that. That's what professionals do sometimes. What surprises me is not that people What surprises me is not that people disagree with my conclusions, but that disagree with my conclusions, but that disagree with my conclusions, but that some people some people some people some people believe I'm not supposed to some people believe I'm not supposed to some people believe I'm not supposed to express them publicly. Also, to be clear here, I'm not asking Also, to be clear here, I'm not asking no one to agree with my analysis. People no one to agree with my analysis. People no one to agree with my analysis. People are free to disagree. That's just are free to disagree. That's just are free to disagree. That's just healthy stuff. healthy stuff. healthy stuff. What what what is less healthy is the What what what is less healthy is the What what what is less healthy is the expectation that one trainer can expectation that one trainer can expectation that one trainer can publicly criticize another's philosophy publicly criticize another's philosophy publicly criticize another's philosophy but the response should remain private but the response should remain private but the response should remain private simply to avoid making people simply to avoid making people simply to avoid making people uncomfortable. uncomfortable. uncomfortable. I think that creates confusion. I think that creates confusion. I think that creates confusion. So yeah, I'm not asking anyone to choose So yeah, I'm not asking anyone to choose So yeah, I'm not asking anyone to choose my side on this. That's not what's my side on this. That's not what's my side on this. That's not what's about. I'm not saying 21 stop following about. I'm not saying 21 stop following
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about. I'm not saying 21 stop following Robert. You don't have to agree with me. Robert. You don't have to agree with me. Robert. You don't have to agree with me. What I'm asking is much simpler. Just What I'm asking is much simpler. Just What I'm asking is much simpler. Just stop assuming that everyone labeled stop assuming that everyone labeled stop assuming that everyone labeled balanced balanced balanced trainer believes the same things because trainer believes the same things because trainer believes the same things because we don't. we don't. we don't. I have zero intention to compare my I have zero intention to compare my I have zero intention to compare my training to Roberts on social media or training to Roberts on social media or training to Roberts on social media or to convince anyone that I'm right. It is to convince anyone that I'm right. It is to convince anyone that I'm right. It is simply to make it clear that our simply to make it clear that our simply to make it clear that our philosophies philosophies philosophies are fundamentally different. If anyone is looking for a trainer or If anyone is looking for a trainer or trying to understand different trying to understand different trying to understand different approaches, approaches, approaches, um I believe that's an important um I believe that's an important um I believe that's an important distinction to understand. The reason distinction to understand. The reason distinction to understand. The reason I'm talking to you now is not because I'm talking to you now is not because I'm talking to you now is not because I'm dying here to change your minds. I'm dying here to change your minds. I'm dying here to change your minds. Some people have already decided where Some people have already decided where Some people have already decided where they stand and that's perfectly fine they stand and that's perfectly fine they stand and that's perfectly fine with me. But I also know that there are with me. But I also know that there are with me. But I also know that there are many of you who have genuinely wanted to many of you who have genuinely wanted to many of you who have genuinely wanted to understand why I decided to speak understand why I decided to speak understand why I decided to speak publicly publicly publicly and why I felt it was important to draw and why I felt it was important to draw and why I felt it was important to draw this line. So this line. So this line. So this is primarily this is primarily this is primarily who this video is for. Whether you agree who this video is for. Whether you agree
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who this video is for. Whether you agree with me or not, at least now you know with me or not, at least now you know with me or not, at least now you know where I stand and more importantly why I where I stand and more importantly why I where I stand and more importantly why I stand there. So that's for now. stand there. So that's for now. stand there. So that's for now. Hopefully Hopefully Hopefully um that is enough.