What's Your Dog Training Story?

This was a fascinating discussion with Chirag Patel, Debby McMullen, Laurie Williams, Jordan Shelley, and Michael Shikashio in this vulnerable, open-forum conversation. Like many dog professionals, they have all used aversive tools in the past and now train using positive reinforcement and an empowered approach instead.

Change is hard, and it's not linear. It takes time to see how ideas fit in with what we already know of the world. One of my missions is to help the culture shift toward being-centered care for dogs, where they are respected as individuals. I am still learning; this is a journey that I continue to find further steps to go on.

Having been on this road for over 2 decades, I know that I am imperfect and I am more patient with people not having the exact same beliefs as me. We are all coming with different data, different worldviews. At the same time, I believe it's urgent that all professional dog trainers and behaviorists become fluent in the tools and mindsets that build relationship and let go of punishment-based techniques and aversive tools.

Even 'positive dog trainers' can shift their mindset more toward empowerment. We are always learning. I decided to bring this group of trainers/behaviorists together because they have bravely shifted their training style toward collaboration instead of punishment, and that's not a simple thing for a professional to do. It takes a lot of courage. And it also feels so good to shift (eventually).

Not everyone is able to face the grief and hard truths that come up when it becomes clear that empowerment-based dog training works. When we really realize that it is effective and preferable, we also understand that we have done things in the name of training that were not necessary; we've done harm. But these well-known trainers have done the reckoning it takes to learn.

If you still use prong collars, slip/choke chains, electronic collars, alpha rolls, dominance, tsssst noises, 'taps,' or even head collars, my goal is for this to be a safe space for you to be curious about what's possible, without fear that we will try to get you to feel shame. We do the best we can with the information we have.

If you already consider yourself a positive or empowerment-based trainer, or a dog coach or mediator, this class will be helpful for you too, to see ways to invite someone to learn in a way that can be received - and what ways are likely to just build resistance. And perhaps you'll find that you also have some room to shift to a more collaborative way of helping dogs and people live in community together. I'm still learning on that, too!

Recorded live Sep 20, 2023.

  • Suitable for dog trainers, behaviorists, families with dogs, shelter workers, or anyone who wants to help dogs.

  • Our intention is to keep this a shame-free zone, as shame gets in the way of real change. Disagree? Consider our Empathy webinar with Karen Faith.

  • "What changed your mind?"

  • "What changed when you shifted away from using aversive tools?"

  • "How can we encourage kindness in training?"

  • "What were the roadblocks to change? What was the hardest thing about changing? ""

  • "What's your goal when working with dogs? How has that changed?"

  • "What's your growth edge now?"

  • This webinar and all of the other classes in the school are included with a Diamond Membership All Access Pass. For one low price per month, you get access to all of our emotionally enriching dog courses. See if Diamond is right for you.

  • Already a Diamond? You're already enrolled in this webinar, at no extra charge. Just log in and refresh this page, and you'll see a Start Learning or Resume Learning button on the top.

5 star rating

Really wonderful conversation.

Viviane Arzoumanian

This is a must watch webinar! In a contentious world this is an amazingly kind, thoughtful, and informative talk between deep thinking professionals. Thank...

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This is a must watch webinar! In a contentious world this is an amazingly kind, thoughtful, and informative talk between deep thinking professionals. Thank you Grisha for putting this together. So needed!!

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5 star rating

Dog Training Approaches Discussion Panel

Patricia Newman

Hearing about top trainers' experiences as they transitioned from using aversive training methods to empowering methods was heartening. As someone whose been...

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Hearing about top trainers' experiences as they transitioned from using aversive training methods to empowering methods was heartening. As someone whose been training dogs from a very young age onward (I'm turning 60 soon), I especially resonated with the idea of grieving and forgiving ourselves for "not knowing what we didn't know" during the age of aversive methods. And dealing with people using the same positive mindset that we apply to our dogs is very necessary if we are to succeed in gaining buy in. Thank you for bringing that to the surface! I really enjoyed this panel discussion!

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5 star rating

Thank you for such an enlightening and empowering webinar

Mary Walshe

I loved this webinar- from start to finish it had me turning cogs in my brain and seeing things from so many different perspectives all at once - the main th...

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I loved this webinar- from start to finish it had me turning cogs in my brain and seeing things from so many different perspectives all at once - the main thing I came away with, is that judgement and condemnation change nothing and possibly worse than that, can even make things worse by closing the door to a trainer or client learning new things and that for those contemplating change, our support and acceptance of them and taking the time to show how a technique is done and affording them the time to learn how to do it is so very important as they journey forward - it was a wonderful delve into understanding how kindness changed the lives of all of these wonderful trainers and in a sense started them out on an amazing R+journey of discovery - I would love if we could have another webinar with the panelists who all spoke so honestly from their hearts and through what they said, each one of them touched my heart also - my heartfelt thanks to all of them and to Grisha for hosting this awesome webinar - it has left me with a lot to think about and also has left me wanting to hear more- ❤️

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5 star rating

I love this webinar!

Nanci Sullivan

I found this to be very interesting, and brought back many memories. I'm not a professional trainer, so many of my experiences were different, but the learni...

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I found this to be very interesting, and brought back many memories. I'm not a professional trainer, so many of my experiences were different, but the learning process of changing were very similar. I guess you would rate me a semi-crossover trainer. I believe that the pairing of handler and dog determine the tools and type of training. And the purpose. I'm sure there is not enough room here to explain these 2 statements, but I would like to at some time as I think they are not things/situations that are typically brought up, or perhaps won't even engender much interest.

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5 star rating

Positive Focus

Marika Bell

I really enjoyed this discussion! I found the conversation to be really engaging and so great to hear about people's experiences that were very much like min...

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I really enjoyed this discussion! I found the conversation to be really engaging and so great to hear about people's experiences that were very much like mine. It made me feel connected to the whole positive focus training all over again.

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A Much-Needed Conversation in the Dog Community

Please keep reading to get the most out of this webinar.

  • Friendly Panel Discussion

    You'll get streaming access to the recording and links to further resources.

    The recording has an automated session transcript.

  • Resources & Continuing Education Units

    We post video recordings of webinars within 24 hours of the live session. You are free to watch the recording as many times as you like.

    2 CCPDT CEUs and 2 IAABC CEUs

  • Continue the Learning

    Attendees are also eligible to continue the conversation in the Grisha Stewart Learner Support Facebook Group.

    Diamond members can also post in the special group for Diamonds

About the Panelists & Host

Behavior and Training Consultant

Chirag Patel, BSc(Hons), CPBZC, DipCABT

Chirag is passionate about the application of ethical behavior change science to improve the life of animals living under human care by teach animals to be active participants in their own daily and veterinary care in a low stress manner. He is highly sought after for working with private clients, organizations as well as teaching workshops and presenting at conferences. Chirag was also an expert on BBC 1’s TV Series Nightmare Pets SOS and has gives TV interviews worldwide.


Chirag earned his BSc(Hons) in Veterinary Sciences from the Royal Veterinary College in London and a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Animal Behavior from the University of Lincoln, UK. He also holds an Advanced diploma in practical aspects of companion animal behavior and training from the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology. In 2005, Chirag completed an internship in dog behavior and training with a focus on aggressive behavior under the mentorship of Jean Donaldson at the San Francisco SPCA and developed his understanding and skills in puppy training under the mentorship of Ian Dunbar PhD, BVetMed, MRCVS. He is also a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers UK (00923).  He has also been invited and accepted as a Certified Parrot Behavior Consultant (CPBC), with the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC).

Certified Behavior Consultant

Debby McMullen, CDBC

Debby McMullen began her training career in 1998 as a volunteer instructor at Animal Friends shelter in Pittsburgh. She has taught thousands of classes through the shelter and at other locations. She started as a dog walker at the shelter, where she developed a keen interest in behavior and was asked to join the behavior program. This lead to a career switch and the creation of her own behavior business.

Debby also ran her own Doberman rescue for nearly 15 years before taking a less active role in the rescue world.

The author of "How Many Dogs? Using Positive Reinforcement Training to Manage a Multiple Dog Household", Debby's specialty is behavior consultations with an emphasis on multiple dog households as well as aggression cases. She owns Pawsitive Reactions, LLC in Pittsburgh, PAs and is certified in behavior through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

Butterfly Council member

Jordan Shelley

Jordan Shelley is an animal welfare campaigner and behaviorist with a specialty of aggression and reactivity. As one of the directors of Focus On Animal Law, he founded and spearheaded the #FlopNotCrop campaign to stop the rising number of cropped dogs in the UK by banning their importation, the last legal route to market that’s often used as a smokescreen for illegal cropping in the UK.

The campaign also lobbied Amazon to stop its US site from selling and shipping DIY ear cropping kits to UK customers and eventually achieved their complete removal of sale in the US as well!

Registration: Join us in our friendly panel discussion

It's your choice: buy this online session individually or get it (and a lot more) for FREE as a Diamond Member.

  • $39.00

    $39.00Dog Training Approaches Discussion Panel: "Why I Shifted to Empowerment & Reinforcement" with Chirag Patel, Debby McMullen, Jordan Shelley, Laurie Williams, and Mike Shikashio. Hosted by Grisha

    $29 One-time payment to add this recording of the live session to your library of courses. Your access will not expire.
    Buy Now
  • $39.99 / month

    $39.99 / monthDiamond Membership All Access Pass

    Great value! Access to ALL live and on-demand streaming content on the site, including this webinar.

    Diamonds are also part of a thriving, supportive community that loves to dig into every aspect of dog behavior. You'll get help from an extensive and growing library of emotionally intelligent animal behavior and care classes, taught by my favorite experts from around the world. Diamonds also get special events, student coupons, and other perks. [Learn more].
    Go Diamond

Canine Education Specialist & Dog Behavior Counselor

Laurie Williams CCUI CDTI

Laurie C Williams BA CCUI FFC has had a love of and connection with dogs from as far back as she can remember. She is the owner and Director of Training and Behavior Counseling at Pup ‘N Iron Canine Enrichment Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where she has been serving her community as a canine education specialist and dog behavior counselor for the past 15 years.

She holds a B.A. from Norwich University in Montpelier, VT and was a member of the adjunct faculty of the Natural Sciences Department of Northern Virginia Community College for 7 years.

Laurie is a nationally published writer with works appearing in the APDT Chronicle of the Dog, The Whole Dog Journal, Dog & Handler, 911, Essence, Fitness, and Good Housekeeping magazines. She is currently a member of the Board of Governors of the Dog Writer’s Association of America and is an AKC licensed ATT, Farm Dog and Rally Obedience judge and Canine Good Citizen evaluator.

Certified Dog Behavior Counselor

Michael Shikashio, CDBC

Michael Shikashio, CDBC, is the past president of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), and provides private consultations working exclusively with dog aggression cases through his business AggressiveDog.com. Michael is fully certified through the IAABC, a Fear Free Certified Trainer, and is a full member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). Michael Shikashio, CDBC He is sought after for his expert opinion by numerous media outlets, including the New York Times, New York Post, Baltimore Sun, WebMD, Women’s Health Magazine, Real Simple Magazine, SiriusXM Radio, The Chronicle of the Dog, and Steve Dale’s Pet World.

Michael is a featured speaker at conferences, universities, and seminars around the world, and offers a variety of workshops, webinars, and online courses on the topic of canine aggression.

Dog Trainer, Author, Singer-Songwriter

Grisha Stewart MA, CPDT-KA, KPACTP

I'm a collaborative dog trainer, author, international presenter, singer-songwriter, and keynote speaker of European ancestry (best guess based on DNA and some genealogy is Scotland, "England & Northwestern Europe," Wales, "Germanic Europe," Ireland, and Norway). I've been helping people and dogs professionally since 2003. My passion projects are grief tending, community singing, and woodturning.

I'm fascinated by animal behavior (including humans), somatic awareness, spirituality, psychology. My work is directed at wholehearted living for all beings, including dogs with a history of aggression, frustration, or fear as well as puppies and my other favorite species: humans.

My Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT 2.0 book and BAT 3.0) is used worldwide to help dogs gain confidence and social skills. Well over 200,000 people have learned about BAT so far.

Diane Redding and I co-host a podcast called The Lesson is Love.

As an outgoing introvert, I refresh my batteries by singing, expressing grief in community, and savoring life with my husband (Tom), Labrador (Joey), cat (Garbanzo aka "Adventure Kitty" and "Baby Panther"), and Little Brown Dog (Zuki). I identify as a queer (pansexual), neurodiverse, middle age, white, raised in poverty and now of middle class, and US citizen, spiritual non-Christian leaning toward neo-Druid (but raised in Christian culture). My pronouns are she/her. I am still wrestling with living on the stolen river watershed of the Siuslaw people, who are part of the CTCLUSI.

Need more details?

Here's an interview with Grisha & Laurie on Marika Bell's podcast about the panel discussion!

5 star rating

Very Inspiring And Informative

Ben Balser

To hear this panel's stories of switching was enlightening. It gave me much to think about and gave me new ways to deal with potential clients and other trai...

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To hear this panel's stories of switching was enlightening. It gave me much to think about and gave me new ways to deal with potential clients and other trainers that I'd not thought about before. Loved it!

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5 star rating

The webinar I needed, right on time...

Nikki West

Thank you all SO much for this! As someone who was yearning to talk to a crossover trainer but didn't know where to turn, this webinar popped up at just the ...

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Thank you all SO much for this! As someone who was yearning to talk to a crossover trainer but didn't know where to turn, this webinar popped up at just the right time. I am so grateful to be able to listen to the experiences and wisdom of others as they made this shift. Grisha, I am especially grateful for your question about grief at the end. I have several dogs who passed before I started my crossover training journey, and I am indeed grieving some of ways I interacted with them and the training we did together. I so deeply appreciate you putting that into words.

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5 star rating

Interesting input and thougts of amazing people

Christine Scharf

Having dogs since 1982 : I did not know better, so I did it but that was not what I wanted to do with my dogs! I want a partnership, a friendship, fun, laug...

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Having dogs since 1982 : I did not know better, so I did it but that was not what I wanted to do with my dogs! I want a partnership, a friendship, fun, laughter, cuddles. I want a confident look when I call my dog back and not avoidance because they fear some punition. Having had all sorts of inputs during the years, I'm sadly fighting against myself each time I get frustrated or angry about something my dogs do and I don't like. This discussion shows that it's perhaps not always easy but it's the right path!

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Registration: Join us in our friendly panel discussion

It's your choice: buy this online session individually or get it (and a lot more) for FREE as a Diamond Member.

  • $39.00

    $39.00Dog Training Approaches Discussion Panel: "Why I Shifted to Empowerment & Reinforcement" with Chirag Patel, Debby McMullen, Jordan Shelley, Laurie Williams, and Mike Shikashio. Hosted by Grisha

    $39 One-time payment to add this live session and the recording of the live session to your library of courses. Your access will not expire.
    Buy Now
  • $39.99 / month

    $39.99 / monthDiamond Membership All Access Pass

    Great value! Access to ALL live and on-demand streaming content on the site, including this webinar.

    Diamonds are also part of a thriving, supportive community that loves to dig into every aspect of dog behavior. You'll get help from an extensive and growing library of emotionally intelligent animal behavior and care classes, taught by my favorite experts from around the world. Diamonds also get special events, student coupons, and other perks. [Learn more].
    Go Diamond

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