Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

    • Our Mission

    • Getting Involved and Giving Back
  • 2

    Why Train Animals?

    • Animal Training: A Definition

    • Primary & Secondary Reasons for Training Animals

    • LIMA

    • Acknowledgments and Further Reading
  • 3

    Animal Behavior

    • Wild, Domesticated, Tame, Feral

    • Genotypes, Phenotypes, and Epigenetics

    • Behavior Basics

    • Behavioral Function

    • Feedback and Behavioral Change

    • Preinstalled vs. Learned Behaviors

    • Preinstalled Behavior: Reflex and Modal Action Patterns
  • 4

    Body Language

    • Body Language Basics

    • Stress and Arousal

    • Conflict Avoidance and Stress Signals
  • 5

    Emotions

    • Emotional Systems

    • Conditioned Emotional Responses

    • Desensitization, Sensitization, and Habituation

    • The Limitations of Emotions
  • 6

    Respondent Conditioning

    • Introduction to Respondent Conditioning

    • Higher-Order Conditioning

    • Extinction
  • 7

    Selection by Consequences

    • Consequences

    • Behavioral Evolution

    • Changing Contexts

    • Non-Adaptive Change
  • 8

    Reinforcement and Punishment

    • The Behavioral Quadrants

    • Operant Conditioning

    • Reinforcement and Punishment In Context

    • Primary Reinforcers and Punishers

    • Secondary Reinforcers and Punishers

    • Differential Reinforcement

    • The Premack Principle

    • Trust, Choice, and Control

    • Priors and Probabilities
  • 9

    Functional Analysis

    • ABC:P Notation

    • Antecedent

    • Behavior

    • Consequences

    • Prediction
  • 10

    Marker Training

    • What Is Marker Training?

    • Benefits of Marker Training

    • Choosing a Marker Signal

    • Mark and Reward

    • Mechanical Skills

    • Capturing and Shaping

    • Creativity
  • 11

    Cues

    • Introduction to Cueing

    • Techniques and Troubleshooting Strategies

    • Behavioral Fluency
  • 12

    Antecedent Arrangements

    • Introduction to Antecedent Arrangements

    • Management Tools

    • Motivation

    • Enrichment
  • 13

    New Puppy Fundamentals

    • Helping People Help Puppies

    • Assessing Puppy Behavior

    • Nipping and Mouthing

    • House-Training

    • Crate Training

    • Socialization
  • 14

    Core Behaviors

    • Introduction

    • Attention/Look

    • Nose Targeting/Touch

    • Sit

    • Down

    • Loose-Leash Walking

    • Recall

    • Drop It

    • Leave It

    • Wait

    • Go to Place
  • 15

    Behavior Disorders and Problems

    • DISCLAIMER

    • Behavior Disorder vs. Problem Behavior

    • Behavioral Repertoire

    • The Behavior Therapy Case

    • Consulting a Veterinary Behaviorist

    • Aggression

    • Anxiety/Non-Aggression Disorders

    • Resource Guarding

    • Separation-Related Disorders

    • Sound Sensitivity

    • Handling Sensitivity
  • 16

    Addressing Problem Behaviors

    • Common Problem Behaviors

    • Barking

    • Jumping Up

    • Mouthing

    • Inappropriate Elimination

    • Leash Walking Challenges

    • Equipment Aversion

    • Basic Skills for Problem Behaviors

    • Relaxation Protocol

    • Tether Training

    • Defensive Leash Walking / Leash Handling

    • Say Please (Protocol for Deference)

    • Consent Handling
  • 17

    Working With Clients

    • Initial Communication

    • Preparing for Your Session

    • Meeting The Client

    • Troubleshooting

    • Following Up