Speaker: Kurt M. Kotrschal, PhD

Description: Wolves Dogs and Humans…Why did particularly wolves in their domesticated form turn into the closest animal buddy of man? Wolves and human are both hypercursorial hunters, adaptable to a wide range of environments and show a similar social orientation: both species cooperate over hunting, caring for offspring and in warfare against neighbours. At the Wolf Science Center (Austria) (www.wolfscience.at) we experimentally investigate and compare the cognitive abilities of wolves and dogs and their cooperative orientation among themselves and with humans. A number of hypotheses imply that by domestication, dogs have become intrinsically better than wolves in interacting and cooperating with humans (Frank 1980, Hare and Tomasello 2005, Hare et al. 2012, Gacsi et al. 2009). However, this may not be true, as wolves are much more dependent on fine-grained social interactions with pack members than dogs, which may also be expressed in their interactions with humans when properly socialized with them. For example, Range and Viranyi (2013) found that wolves are more attentive imitators with conspecific models than dogs (see also Udell et al. 2008).
Our data indicate that domestication did not simply increase the inherent disposition of dogs to synchronize and coordinate with humans, or
that dogs would outperform wolves in their more “human-like” cognitive skills or in their better attentiveness towards humans and their action inhibition, as proposed by previous domestication hypotheses (Hare et al. 2012, Gacsi et al. 2009). Rather, the “intraspecific canine cooperation hypothesis” (Range and Viranyi 2013) is supported. In my talk I will give an introduction to the work and training philosophy at the WSC and provide a few examples of our science.

This wolves dogs and humans lecture will be recorded live online March 2014. You may attend Live or OnDemand…or both. CEUs available for both.
Available as a recording after the lecture.

Cost: $25.00

CEU’s Available:
2 IAABC CEU’s
2 CCPDT CEU’s
2 ABCDT-L2 CEU’s
2 NADOI CEU’s
2 PPAB/PPG

Members of APDT, CCPDT, IAABC, ABCDT-L2 or NADOI receive over 25% off. All Lecture Series Webinars are only $18.00 each. See instructions below on how to find the password to take part in this professional discount.

IAABC members, Click HERE to apply your discount.
Email cheryl@e-trainingfordogs for the passcode.

NADOI, CCPDT, ABCDT-L2, PPG, IACP and APDT members, click HERE to apply for your discount.
Email cheryl@e-trainingfordogs for the passcode.

Working with Dogs who Guard Food and Other Resources

Resource Guarding in Dogs

Speaker: Trish McMillan Loehr, MSc, CDBC, CPDT-KA

Available as a recording.

Guarding valued resources is a natural behavior for many animals in the wild. However, when dogs guard their food, toys and chews from the humans they share their lives with, it can be a very serious problem. Food guarding is a common reason for euthanasia of shelter dogs, although this behavior problem can often be improved in a shelter setting with some very simple protocols. This presentation will look at a variety of different, positive-reinforcement based methods to manage and work with resource guarding in dogs.

Trish McMillan Loehr, MSc, CDBC, CPDT-KA will discuss techniques for managing and reducing aggression in dogs who growl, snarl, snap or bite when humans approach them while they’€™re eating, chewing or playing with a toy. This webinar will teach you how to work with resource guarding in dogs using positive reinforcement, management and desensitization/ counterconditioning techniques.  A basic knowledge of learning theory is helpful but not necessary.

What you can expect to learn in this course for resource guarding in dogs:

• Techniques for managing and reducing aggression
• Desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques
• Training techniques

Available  recorded (“OnDemand”).

Cost: $25.00

CEU’s Available:
2 IAABC CEU’s
2 CCPDT CEU’s
2 ABCDT-L2 CEU’s
2 NADOI CEU’s
2 PPAB/PPG

Members of APDT, CCPDT, IAABC, ABCDT-L2 or NADOI receive over 25% off. All Lecture Series Webinars are only $18.00 each. See instructions below on how to find the password to take part in this professional discount.

IAABC members, Click HERE to apply your discount.
Email cheryl@e-trainingfordogs for the passcode.

NADOI, CCPDT, ABCDT-L2, PPG, IACP and APDT members, click HERE to apply for your discount.
Email cheryl@e-trainingfordogs for the passcode.