The Key to Teaching Your Dog Anything

Ryan Leese
Mar 8
3 min read

If you’re struggling with dog training—whether it’s recall, loose lead walking, separation anxiety, or aggression—you’re not alone. The good news is that almost any behaviour can be improved with the right approach. In this post, I’m going to share a powerful insight I learned from one of the world’s top dog trainers that could transform how you work with your dog.

If you'd prefer to watch instead, check out the full video here: https://youtu.be/moynN1XUYKs

The Seminar That Changed My Perspective on Dog Training

At the end of last year, I attended a three-day seminar hosted by the IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers) and presented by Ken Ramirez. Ken is a world-renowned research scientist and animal trainer, known for working with everything from marine animals and zoo species to dogs.

Over the course of three days, Ken shared the details of three incredible research projects involving dogs—each one showing results that seemed impossible. Here’s a quick summary of what I learned:

1. Teaching a Dog to Copy Another Dog

Dogs don’t naturally mimic each other’s actions, apart from contagious behaviours like barking or yawning. But in this study, Ken taught a dog to observe and copy another dog’s behaviour on cue.

Two dogs stood side by side, each with their own trainer.
One dog was given a command, which the second trainer couldn’t see.
After the first dog performed the behaviour (e.g., a spin), the second trainer said "Copy."
The second dog successfully mimicked the first dog’s behaviour.

This study showed that dogs are capable of social learning and imitation—something we previously thought was beyond them.

2. Teaching Aggressive Dogs to Coexist

The second project focused on extreme aggression. Ken’s team worked with dogs that had a history of violence—some of which were on the euthanasia list.

Using techniques normally reserved for zoo animals, the trainers introduced the dogs in a controlled environment.
No muzzles or harsh corrections were used—only positive reinforcement and desensitisation.
Over time, the dogs not only tolerated each other but began to play together.

Many of these dogs were successfully rehomed—a remarkable outcome for cases that were once considered hopeless.

3. Teaching Dogs to Count

The third project explored whether dogs could understand quantity.

Dogs were shown a tray of objects and asked "How many?"
They then selected a board showing the correct number of dots.
The task became more complex over time, introducing mixed colours and repositioned dots—yet the dogs continued to succeed.

This study revealed that dogs have a far greater ability to process numbers and patterns than we previously thought.

The Two Big Lessons for Dog Training

These projects were fascinating—but two takeaways stood out to me as game-changers for dog training:

1. Training Starts Simple

What amazed me most was how simple the early training stages were. They started small, rewarded success, and built up gradually. That’s exactly how you should approach your dog’s training.

Start with the basics. Build confidence. Slowly increase the challenge.

2. The Key to Dog Training Success = Resource

The most important factor in successful training isn’t your dog’s breed or intelligence—it’s resource.

The aggressive dog project had a $1 million research budget, dedicated facilities, and full-time trainers.
While you don’t need a million dollars to train your dog, the principle is the same:
- More time = better results.
- More consistency = faster progress.
- More patience = deeper learning.

If you’re not seeing results, ask yourself:➡️ How much time am I really putting in?➡️ If you’re training once a day for three minutes, try five.➡️ If you’re training once a day, try three short sessions instead.

How to Apply This to Your Dog Training

Increase the Time – Even adding an extra two minutes to your sessions can make a big difference.
Be Consistent – Daily training sessions will get you further than occasional long sessions.
Use Professional Help – A good dog trainer can help you refine your technique and spot issues you might not notice.

Final Thoughts

The key to teaching your dog anything isn’t intelligence or luck—it’s how much time, patience, and consistency you’re willing to invest.

So, if you’re dealing with a difficult behaviour, don’t give up. Put in more time. Be more consistent. Stay patient. Progress will come.

If you want to dive deeper, check out the full video here: If you'd prefer to watch instead, check out the full video here: https://youtu.be/moynN1XUYKs

Start small. Stay consistent. Trust the process. You’ll be amazed at what your dog can achieve.