Lessons in Fear and Aggression in Dogs: Science and the Art of Desensitization – Part 1
Lessons in Fear and Aggression in Dogs focuses on resolving fear and aggression in dogs. It is the beginning of a series which will progress through methods to resolve fear and aggression issues in dogs. Science and the Art of Desensitization is Part I and mandatory for other classes that will follow.
Prerequisites –Understanding of basic dog training using positive techniques is a minimum. People with a strong dog training background will find elements of this course can reinforce existing knowledge as well as expand on their experience.
Required Reading – Since this is a foundation course, there’s more extensive reading requirements for the class. Reading all the material before beginning section one will help you better understand the intricate parts of techniques as they are presented.
The two books and article you need to read are:
ON TALKING TERMS WITH DOGS – CALMING SIGNALS, 2ND EDITION by Turid Rugaas
This is a short book with great impact. I suggest you get the second edition since it is the most recent version.
RESCUE YOUR DOG FROM FEAR: TRIED-AND-TRUE TECHNIQUES TO HELP YOUR DOG FEEL SECURE
by Peggy Swager – This book received two DWAA award nominations.
The article “Calming Signals that Help“ on my website: www.peggyswager.com
Instructor: Peggy O. Swager
Overview
Lessons in Fear and Aggression: Science and the Art of Desensitization focuses on definitions, core science on fear and aggression, and desensitization techniques. These building blocks are essential to the courses that follow. You will find that mastering desensitization techniques is a useful tool when you work to resolve fear and aggression issues.
Course Content
Videos are used in this class to translate science into experience for people working to resolve fear and aggression issues in dogs. The goal is to allow the learner to see examples of how desensitization techniques are modified for individual dogs and circumstances. The videos include point-by-point explanations. It is a 7 lesson, take on your own time webinar course.
- Fear and aggression processes in the brain
- Fight, fight, thresholds, stimulus and triggers
- Video example of dog stimulated when seeing deer.
- Video example of dog going over threshold at a specific distance from the target
- How dog personalities and socialization effects fear in dogs
- Video example of a noise sensitive dog turning aggressive when exposed to an unrecognized stimulus.
- Learning how to identify and work through fear conditioning
- Video example illustrating a case study of a dog who displayed a conditioned fear response
- Case study of a dog with a history of abuse.
- Series of videos showing desensitization of an animal who had history of abuse.
- Desensitization Case Studies
- Videos showing the desensitization of two different dogs to a noise device that normally repels dogs.
- Calming signals, soothing touch, and refining your tools
- Video showing how calming signals worked on a dog known to bite people who entered the house.
- Video showing how desensitization helped build enough confidence between dog and owner for the dog “not” to react adversely when attacked by another dog. Note-The attacked dog was originally worked to improve a shy/reserved nature.
CEUs:
CCPDT-6.5 CPDT-KA; 6.5 CBCC-KA
IAABC-12
NADOI-14
PPAB/PPG-14
ABCDT-L2 – 17 CEUs
Cost: $185.00 USD (For Credit-Includes Instructor contact, Certificate of Completion and CEUs)
AUDIT Cost: $95.00 USD (NO Certificate of Completion and NO CEUs)
Instructor: Peggy Swager – I’ve worked with animal behavior issues since the 1960’s, but my work with behavior issues in the 1970’s was in conjunction with a more formal education. I hold a BS in biology, a minor in education, as well as having taken many college level psychology courses. I had the unique opportunity to work with a diversity of horse behavior issues, as well as receive mentoring from veterinarians on animal management. About 20 years ago, I transitioned from working professionally with horses to working professionally with dog behavior issues. I already had a lot of experience with desensitization and had found my experience translated well when working with dog behavior issues.
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