Talk To My Dog PresentsJon's Story
I'm Jon Van Dyke. I'm a writer, director, and professional animal trainer with over 35 years of experience on some of the biggest film and TV sets in the world.
I've trained everything from tigers, leopards, and cougars to dogs, ducks, pigeons — even alligators — for Hollywood blockbusters, sitcoms, and commercials.
My job was simple: Get the shot — safely, ethically, and consistently.
I've worked with directors like Tim Burton and Richard Donner, and trained animals to work alongside Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Al Pacino, and Antonio Banderas.In 2023, I traded the film set for North Texas — and started writing down everything those thirty-five years taught me about speaking a dog's language.Dog training isn't magic. It's clarity, consistency, compliance, and cooperation. It's learning to speak the same language that your dog speaks. Language is the key that unlocks the door to your dog's world — and opens the door to ours.Be a good quarterback. Let your dog be your center. The best dogs aren't the most obedient. They're the most understood. Be the best partner your dog could ever imagine, and your dog will reciprocate.
"I find his skills to be exceptional, both professionally and personally. Jon is a person with outstanding character and the capability of numerous talents as he extends himself graciously into the field of writing and directing."— Tim Burton, Director
Want to start speaking your dog's language? The Four C's Field Notes is free — five days, four principles, one framework that changes everything.