Ian Dunbar Quotes

United Kingdom, Veterinarian
April 15, 1947

Dr. Ian Dunbar is a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and dog trainer who received his veterinary degree and a Special Honors degree in Physiology & Biochemistry from the Royal Veterinary College (London University) plus a doctorate in animal behavior from the Psychology Department at UC Berkeley, where he researched the development of social hierarchies and aggression in domestic dogs.

Training a puppy is like raising a child. Every single interaction is a training opportunity.

Ian Dunbar
You can instill fear in your kids and get them to mind, but they won't function better in the world and your relationship will suffer greatly.

Ian Dunbar
- World
- Mind
- Kids

I grew up on a farm and my grandfather quit school when he was 12, but when it came to common sense and animals, he was the smartest person I've ever met, before or since. He taught me that to touch an animal is an earned privilege. It's not a right.

Ian Dunbar
- Up
- School
- Animal
Learning from wolves to interact with pet dogs makes about as much sense as, 'I want to improve my parenting - let's see how the chimps do it!'

Ian Dunbar
- Learning
- Pet
- Parenting
I could speak to you and say, 'Laytay-chai, paisey, paisey.' ... Why aren't you responding? Oh, you don't speak Swahili. Well, I've got news for you. The dog doesn't speak English, or American, or Spanish, or French.

Ian Dunbar
You don't train a dog in a training hall, jerking his neck or even giving him food treats. You train him using life rewards.

Ian Dunbar
- Life
- Giving
- Food
People - and dogs - are dying to be trained.

Ian Dunbar
- People
- Dying
- Dogs
Training a dog, to me, is on a par with learning to dance with my wife or teaching my son to ski. These are fun things we do together. If anyone even talks about dominating the dog or hurting him or fighting him or punishing him, don't go there.

Ian Dunbar
- Together
- Fun
- Learning

With every animal, you have to build its confidence around people because people do some crazy and stupid things.

Ian Dunbar
- People
- Crazy
- Confidence
All training is negotiation, whether you're training dogs or spouses.

Ian Dunbar
- You
- Training
- Negotiation
When I'm training a dog, I develop a relationship with that dog. He's my buddy, and I want to make training fun.

Ian Dunbar