Veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and author, Dr. Ian Dunbar 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 sexual differentiation and especially, the development of aggression in domestic dogs.
Dr. Dunbar has authored numerous books and DVDs about puppy/dog behavior and training, including How To Teach A New Dog Old Tricks and the SIRIUS® Puppy Training videos. In 1982, Dr. Dunbar designed and taught the world’s very first off-leash puppy socialization and training classes — SIRIUS® Puppy Training. Subsequently, he created and developed the San Francisco SPCA’s Animal Behavior Department, the American Kennel Club’s Gazette “Behavior” column, which he wrote for seven years, and the K9 GAMES®, which were first held in San Francisco in 1993 and continue as annual events in Japan and Europe.
Dr. Dunbar hosted the popular UK television series Dogs With Dunbar for five seasons and has appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including the Today Show (US) and Dash Village (Japan). Additionally, Dr. Dunbar has consulted on a variety of movies — full-length features, documentaries and animation (including Pixar’s UP) and he has twice spoken at the prestigious eg Conference (TED).
Over the past 40+ years, Dr. Dunbar has given well over 1500 one-day seminars and workshops for dog trainers and veterinarians to popularize early puppy socialization, temperament modification, and owner-friendly and dog-friendly dog training. After he founded the Association of Pet Dog Trainers in 1993 and later, the APDT Foundation, Dr. Dunbar was inducted into the Dog Fancy Hall of Fame along with four of his heroes, James Herriot, Konrad Lorenz, Lassie, and Balto.
Dr. Dunbar is TopDog (CEO) of the Center for Applied Animal Behavior in Berkeley and a Director for http://www.dogstardaily.com — a free online, multi-media educational website for puppy and dog owners. Ian lives in Berkeley, California with ZouZou the Beauceron and kitties Ugly and Mayhem.
