As much as I wish I had sent my dog to Brandon for training before bringing him home kzfaq.infoUgkx1_veP7CApJK_GWy_TczaMciuG64PqJeU I am so grateful for this down-to-earth, practical guide. His training techniques and tips really work. Thank you as well for dedicating your life's work to rescue dogs, and to rescuing those of us who want the very best for our 4-legged family members.

My dog was an extreme puller, he had no professional training and was killing me on walks. I found an awesome trainer, who helped me learn how to loose leash walk. Now I do training walks (about 30 mins) everyday, and what a difference it has made for him and me. He gets a few breaks throughout the walk, and is excellent at not pulling anymore. By the time we get home he is ready for a nap 😊 Slow and steady over the last year and a half, and we have accomplished so much.

I’m so thankful Atlas and I were able to attend this training session! We learned so much and continue to progress every day. I’m still so mind blown how the mental stimulation exhaust’s the dogs more than the physical! Phenomenal experience!

Lakota is the super model of the NBDA. Her likes are tug, tug, Herm Sprenger tug, freeze dried treats, and working for the tug. ❤️🐕‍🦺

This video almost brought tears to my eyes because THIS IS MY DOG in terms of temperament (I have a long way to go on training, but he's part of the way there). We raised him from 4.5 weeks, and I kept thinking "what did I do wrong? Why doesn't he like cuddling, other dogs or people?" Now I get it -- my dog is not a cuddler, he's a worker (ACD + GSD mix). Once a day, he'll roll over and let you rub his chest for 3 minutes, but he'll expect you to play tug, firt pole and/or fetch with him in return.

Totally agree Tom. I got my first dog (gsd) 4 years ago. This was my first dog in over 20 years (basically since. i was a kid) I took her to training classes & learned the basics of training - an i added on with the training such as distractions. I was very consistent even if it was only 15 min a day I worked her. It helped she wanted to learn as she was always looking to me for leadership. She is a great dog I can walk her off leash, the most important things i taught her was ‘come when called’, stay & leave it. no matter what is going on, a squirrel, another dog she will respond to my commands. Watching your videos really encouraged me to build on my training & I am forever grateful. Sure dogs are cute but it isn’t cute when they don’t listen to you.

Tom, it would be so cool if you could delve into the training ROUTINE. I would love to know how a session looks and how to alternate training different commands. My current sessions consist of just running through what my dog knows with no set structure (i.e I don't practice one command for a set number of repetitions.) This is my biggest training curiosity. BTW, this video was great. By far my favorite dog trainer on YT

Love,love,love to see Lakota and your training with her. The high point of my day, thank you so much for sharing her with us.

She’s so locked in you have the perfect relationship that every dog owner should want with their dog. Thank you for always providing a limitless platform we can all learn from. Love watching your growth the best part is knowing you’ve helped so many dogs!

this is quite possibly my favorite video of yours to date. I love the more non-produced, you interacting w your dog, explaining the logic side of things. Great work sir!!

"they listen good when nothings going on and i have a piece of chicken in my hand" LMAO that hit me hard....

I am so in awe of how you explain to beginners the very basics of the complex world of dog training and relationship and communication with a dog. You are such an inspiration.

Finally Lakota feature film!

Tom Davis is my favourite tv series, thank god he pumps out continuous free content for us to binge

Is Lakota a Dutch Shepard? A beautiful dog.

My lab mix is dog reactive! This makes so much sense that I should be more focus on fine tuning his obedience and use it to my advantage when he reacts instead of focusing so much on his reactivity and correcting it!

Thank you for this, we have all wanted to know how Lakota got to the level she's at, plus so much valuable info given too. 😀

Always motivating me to train with my pup. Reaching the level of engagement you have with Lakota would be amazing. Thank you

I’ve always wondered how you got Lakota to be so driven, thanks for the video!

Lakota’s discipline & focus is amazing!

Her obedience is Next level, she is so smart. It's a shame you can't cuddle her, I'm in my happy place when my dog & I are snuggled up together. It'd so therapeutic. Love your channel very educational 👋💖

This is amazing. I started training my GSD at about 4 months. He has turned into an amazing dog and I've still been working with him to create a more solid dog (He's two now). I couldnt ask for a better dog and I've learned so much from this series of videos, I thank you for the information!! ❤️

Love watching you and your dog work. Helps me stay motivated to reach my goals with my dogs.

Thank you for aways providing such in-depth info. I have taken so much away, that I have been able to put this towards my own pup. The difference is night and day! Like you always say… We have to be properly trained first.

Always a treat to see Lakota strut her stuff!

Lakota's focus to you is absolutely baffling. Appreciate you sharing your invaluable information!

Couldn't help notice the great video quality as well. So good! 🙌🏼

Lakota!!!! Blows me away every time!! 🐕🐾💖🐕🐾💖🐕🐾💖

absolutely love Lakota ❤️

Now this is the video i been waiting for, i love this dog.

Such an impressive, informative video, Tom. Well done 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️🐶

Got to love a Black GSD. My boy is 31 months and he is working with me. All the training in 2020 paid off. He works with me and except the occasional bark, he is non reactive to humans.

This is a great vid. I love how straightforward you are with explanations.

Thank you for taking the time to explain to us how Lakota came to be, after seeing every single one of your videos I've had some questions about her. Thank you for all of the time you take to make these videos, they're not just informative but very entertaining! If I can't manage to shape my great dane into the dog I'd like I may be seeing you soon!

Everything you explained in this video about Lakota filled in a lot of gaps I was trying to figure out with my Dutch shepherd, thank you so much Tom.

That was really informative thanks!

We luv u sbk. such a gem

Another top notch video. Honestly, my relationship with my dog is fantastic and it's down to videos like this one.

OH wauw Wonderful!! 2 days ago i was wonderiung how you did that :D Thanks!!

lakota is amazing

Lokota is so amazing. You are a fabulous trainer.

You are incredible Tom. I love that you call yourself an “educator” as education is what can heal our world.

Loving your laid-back explanation of the reality of training a dog in that it doesn't happen overnight, you need to understand how dogs work mentally. You cannot expect to teach a dog something once and they're going to have it down pat.

Amazing I'm really learning a lot of good doggie training and doing it with my doggie. It's been a challenge for me since I'm still grieving my doggie who passed and this is my first bigger doggie but I'm not giving up because doggies are the best and with all the knowledge I'm gaining from your training videos I can do it.

Thanks again Tom

It’s incredible Lakota can “out” the ball from a distance!

Thank you 🙏🏽

I would love to see a video of a day in the life with you and your dogs. Sometimes I train train train but then I realized i was missing the down time. She is an amazing dog! I love your videos

Your training method works so well with my dog. I never realized how much she likes working for me

Thanks Tom! Needed this information with our new Boxer puppy who’s 14 weeks old. Have been binging all your videos and other trainers too.

I've been using your technique on our 2.5 year old pittie, so happy I found your site. She is more responsive and attentive. Thanks so much. Will continue to watch,so you can train the trainer. Barry

Great video. Good info

MORE LAKOTA VIDEOS PLEASSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

I only just recently commented about Lakota and how you trained her. Really nice to already see a video where you talk more about training for ‘normal’ dogs, or dogs that don’t have crazy behavior problems

Bro no joke, I’ve learn so much from you! I hope I can be as good as a dog trainer like you

So thankful to have found your video's. I have 2 Shepherds and they are 6 and 4. They 4 year old has been a struggle, she does have reactions issues. I have been working with them and already seeing some results, especially with me! I have a black shepherd too.

Awesome video! I think our lab is in between this. Just turned one and is so focused with low impulse control.

Thanks for giving more details about the processes you use. We adopted an older, loved, crate trained dog, but she's not play motivated in the least and sometimes it's very hard to get her attention especially outdoors with life happening. For awhile she wouldn't make eye contact with us, but now she's definitely bonded with us and is comfortable. She just has a few habits I wasn't sure how to address so maybe just working with her a little more frequently will help instill what I want her to do. Thanks. Lakota is beautiful.

This was really helpful to me. Thank you very much. Hve new rescue dog, and really needed some guidance. Cheers

Thats a great dog. His focus on you is amazing. I am working with my 1st rescue, 1.3 year old Male Shepard mix. He has only been with me for a week and so far hes a good dog. Didnt know any commands and didnt even know how to play. A little harder to train (age and who knows about the last 1.3) but he is WIP. Working on separation anxiety and his fear of getting back in a car. Thank you for the great tips as always. Peace

This video is gold! Those owners asked some fabulous questions. I'm very excited to get my dog to this level of obedience and get her confidently off leash as well. It amazes me how tiring the mental work is for them. I took my dog for a short 15 minute walk today, which was just alternating heeling and breaks and she absolutely crashed when we got home. I'd really like to hear more about building a dog's drive. You said for Lakota just doing the work increased it (on top of her breed's natural tendencies) but I'm interested to hear ways to foster it in dogs without a strong natural drive.

Love her!

Great video Tom! My dog thinks every sock in the house is hers to chew on and destroy, so I add a little dog training when I'm sorting laundry by tossing socks in front of her and practicing place, stay, down, leave it, etc. with tug play as jackpot reward. In order to get as many short training sessions per day in different scenarios as possible, I challenge myself to come up with ways to add some training to something else I am doing in the house or garage. There's a lot of distraction training we can do before we ever leave the house!

As always I love watching your videos I pick up helpful information even if it's minimal. Being disabled Vet I find it stressful working with my 6mo Australian Shepherd mostly with keep engagement. I'm hopeful she will become more responsive with age. Thanks again for all the great videos. .

What a cool dog

Great video! You really explain the information well. We just adopted a 7yr old mini Aussie and she needs some tuning up with these basic obedience skills. Any tips for working on obedience with an older, new-to-you dog??

Get my Dutch shepherd June 3rd. Beautiful and smart dogs

Lakota is so sweet.

Beautiful.

Ooooh I'm early! ❤️ love Lakota! My next dog will be a doberman. Do you have any advice for senior dogs that have developed anxiety issues due to cognitive decline? I have a 13 year old miniature schnauzer and she gets panicked really easily now. I can see in her eyes when she sort of "checks out" and doesn't really realize what's going on anymore...

Love it bro! Can a 2 1/2 ye old Shepard still get to this with hard work and reps

Amazing

LOOVE this video! Speaking the truth. I had a trainer tell me that my dog is jack of all trades and a master of none and I was so offended but she was right. After that I just drilled the basics for months and forgot about all our silly fun party tricks. My dog is severely dog reactive. His obedience was excellent but not around dogs. I could off leash recall him mid-chase after a squirrel or bunny but around dogs he fell apart. With my new puppy I am just drilling the basics first so she has a strong foundation. She was doing a down in motion the second week I had her at 11 weeks. She has a good temperament and I've done lots os socializing to ensure she grows up well rounded unlike my rescue who came to me with issues as an adult dog. Hearing you talk about Lakota as a puppy is exactly like my border collie puppy she could do all these commands but that drive and discipline isn't there yet. She is a busy butt, sloppy but still a puppy and she is making effort which is the most important thing. I'll make her commands more precise and clean as she gets older. I would tell people that because my dog has great obedience I can do amazing things with him. Yes, he is still reactive and requires management but we go to breweries, paddle board, hike etc. You can have that life too if you put in the work. Unfortunately, off leash dogs will always be an issue and he will nip them if the invade our space. I have to carry shield spray and have even had to smack dogs with a trekking pole on a hike while my dog maintains a sit. I tell him to sit or down and I go to deal with the off leash dogs. It's my job to protect him or else it justifies the reactivity when strange dogs are allowed to invade his space and then he has to handle it because I didn't.

A true canine psychologist... Tom, you just keep raising the bar...!

Lakota means hunger in my language 😍🙌

Excellent training, and great dog! Question do you take Dakota on like off leash hikes ?

When you told her touch she found the longest patch of grass and that's what she chose to place on I assume because it looked different she was confused but still did a great job.

Her obedience in this video is a 7/10

Lakota's focus is mind blowing

Hey Tom love the videos. Where did you buy Lakota? What breeder? She’s amazing dude

Hi from Campbell, California

Wow..I have had my GSD now at 15 weeks from 8 weeks old, I’m making lots of progress, (doesn’t look like Lakota, but, he’s doing place, touch, sit, down, stand, and I’ve just learned how to teach him to separate the verbal command from the physical, which is hard for me, I tend to give the dog a physical cue they psychically “get” before I even verbalize it! I wish I had the skills and library of knowledge “you guys/gals” like you, Sonja Nordstrom, Larry Krohn, Haz Othman, the list goes on.. I actually went to see Sonja Nordstrom after seeing her podcast with Robert Cabral (everyone go listen, she’s..amazing, so is Robert of course) and after spending time with her, I realized how much I’m really, really not observing about the dog, our interactions, how/why I’m training what I’m training, it’s just amazing, incredible to see how your dog behaves in the hands of a pro and what their observations are..what you’re missing, what you’re actually training versus what you think you’re training..how fractions of seconds or not properly marking..it’s..overwhelming at times..

She is such a beautiful dog, what breed is she? Looking for a new trail running buddie. Been binge watching your videos to learn more 🤗

I wish I could afford to fly you down to eastern TN to help us with our pit/lab mix Loki.

This (and another video that you did recently) was a lightbulb moment for me. I was expecting our girl to heel for our entire hour plus walk. I would stop and let her smell at areas that I deemed safe but I was expecting her to heel all the other times. And it was NOT working. 😂 Now I let her have a little more leash and only expect the heel at certain times. I've also taught her the difference between "heel" and "heel tight"... for us, "heel" is come back to me and stop being out in front and "heel tight" is I want you right beside me usually because we're meeting someone in a tight area.

I’ve been trying to find one of those exact toy/training balls with the string attached. Where can I get one !? My border collie would love that.

I would love to know what treat bag Tom is using in the video. I am looking for a new one and love the look of this one. Does anyone happen to know which it is and where I would be able to buy it? Thank you in advance for any help!

Super useful video! Question, you mentioned if your dog didn't like people it'd be just a minor inconvenience. Would you generally not have strangers pet or interact with her? My Border Collie is exactly like your dog, but sometimes gets uncomfortable when petted by people he doesn't know well

You may have done this already, but if not, would you do a video about how to choose a dog breed and subsequently how to choose a puppy from a litter that matches your energy and lifestyle?

I have a 15 month old pure bred border collie. He is incredible. High energy to the extreme (50-60kms per week + daily training and socialization). Teaching him that play is in a sense work (since he is a working dog) is probably the best thing he will ever know. Basic commands are really polished (some work remains). My only problem is recall. If he is not sufficiently worn out he is unlikely to come back and heel (especially when at the dog park and running around freely). Impulse control is getting better but he is still quite young. Trying to trick him absolutely cannot and will neeeever ever work. He sees through you immediately and with that trust deteriorates which leads to less control. Being consistent, truthful and kind equates to great results in very short time (for being so intelligent). He doesn´t have bad habbits. WIth that said if not stimulated enough mentally he will do whatever he thinks is fun which can include chewing and clawing stuff he normally never does. You don´t need this many kms under the belt per week like we have (we live for the active lifestyle). A combination of exercise, training and mental stimulation will make any dog as happy as can be. You have to account for their purpose, what they were bred for and structure an appropriate training regiment. It is tough but man, it is fantastic. Great video! (Sorry for the mile long paragraph, I just get excited :D)

I wish I had as much focus as Lakota 😂

@TomDaves I have Swiss white shepherds and they all go threw fear period badly what do you recommend training wise to help they are not food motivated all I can use anything high value n not focusing at all , at home totally focused like you say. It hits them around 16wks and it’s mine bending how scared they get…. I’m in Australia 🇦🇺 I would definitely come to you if I could.

Lakota is such a beautiful dog, does anyone know what breed she is? I've never seen one like her.

Could you do videos where you work with small breeds or terriers? There's a lot about big dogs or very active working line dogs.

Break is like Recess to kids in school 🙃

Looks nice, have you ever trained or competed in any sports or worked towards any titles with her or any other dogs?

What is the other language you speak to your dog? I think you amazing and would love to see more prong collar training with big dogs!

Oh my thank you I have always wanted to see Lakota and her behavior. Are her commands in French? My son’s Labrador is trained with commands in French

Can you do a similar video in your malinois if you still have him??

Hi brother