Training Without Conflict® | Dog Training Podcast Episode Fifty-Eight: Jan Van Maren
Apr 22, 2025
Jan Van Maren, a renowned IGP helper from the Netherlands, shares insights from his impressive career, including his experience at prestigious championships. He discusses the recent ban on stick hits and its impact on training methods and dog behavior. The conversation dives into personalized coaching for competitors, exploring how individual strengths can enhance performance. Jan also highlights the importance of understanding a dog's prey drive versus aggression, and the need for tailored approaches in training to maximize effectiveness and maintain motivation.
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Helper Drills for Long Bites
- Teach helper rotations to improve eye-hand coordination and footwork for long bites.
- Avoid stepping back during long bites; always remain offensive and lead the fight.
Ideal Dog Temperament for Protection
- The best dogs balance good prey drive with some frustration sensitivity to motivate purposeful actions.
- Dogs with pure aggression might need focused exercises outside the body first to build confidence.
Start Young Dogs with Pole Work
- Always start young dog protection work using a pole for clear behavioral evaluation.
- Avoid using leashes initially as they can interfere with understanding the dog's natural reactions.