Modular Dog Training Courses: The Wave of the Future or an Instructor’s Headache?
If you teach training classes, you’ve likely struggled with people dropping out as the class progresses. More and more, instructors are reporting dwindling attendance and falling registrations because people just don’t seem to be able to commit to a 6, 8, or even a 4 week course. Enter Modular Training Classes. This structure allows people…
Understanding and Helping Fearful Animals
Instructors: Dan Estep, Ph.D., CAAB and Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D., CAAB Fears, phobias and anxieties are among the most common behavior problems seen in companion animals. Often these problems go unrecognized or the behaviors are attributed to other anthropomorphic motivations, such as “stubbornness”. Fears and phobias can also contribute to other behavior problems such as aggression,…
Cujo Meets Pavlov: Using classical conditioning as a foundation for resolving leash-aggression
Instructors: Kathy Sdao, M.A. ACAAB, facilitated by Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D. and Daniel Q. Estep, Ph.D., CAABs Most neighborhoods have at least one dog that turns into a snarling beast when he sees another dog while on a walk. This dramatic over-reaction of barking and lunging could escalate to actual aggression, creating dangerous situations for dogs…
Professional Business Tactics for Your Behavior/Training Business
That Will Save You Time, Increase Your Revenue and Decrease Your Stress Instructors: Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D., and Daniel Q. Estep, Ph.D., Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists We know how passionate behavior and training professionals are about helping pets and their people. But are you as passionate about your business as you are about behavior and training? While you…
Risk Assessment of Aggressive Animals
Instructors: Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D., CAAB and Daniel Q. Estep, Ph.D., CAAB Aggression is one of the most common and serious complaints heard by veterinarians, behavior consultants and trainers. The first thing owners need is an unbiased assessment of the risk that their animal presents to others. Owners need these assessments to make informed decisions about…
The Peaceable Kingdom
Developing Safe and Friendly Relationships Between Dogs and Cats Instructors: Dr. Suzanne Hetts and Dr. Dan Estep, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists Statistics show that 41% of dog-owning households also include at least one cat, and that 46% of cat-owning households also include at least one dog. It is important for dog trainers and others working…
Sacred Cows of Dog Training Part 2
Instructors: Kathy Sdao, M.A., ACAAB, Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D., CAAB and Daniel Estep, Ph.D., CAAB After an educational and entertaining Part I, “Sacred Cows of Dog Training” is back for Round Two. What are “sacred cows?” We define these as uncritically accepted “core” ideas in the world of dog training and pet behavior consulting that have not…
Sacred Cows of Dog Training Part 1
Instructors: Kathy Sdao, M.A., ACAAB, Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D., CAAB, Daniel Estep, Ph.D., CAAB When was the last time you took a step back, and really thought about the behavioral information you impart to pet owners on a daily basis? There are a number of “core” ideas in the world of dog training and pet behavior…