Course Details
The first step to being a dog trainer is understanding dogs for who they are, as a distinct species. Dogs spent thousands of years of history with humans, co-evolving with us, but they also have been specifically selected over the last few hundred years to work and live with us! That gives them a unique cluster of skills and traits that they bring to their relationship with us. Clients have a lot of misinformation available to them from popular media, and as their professional, you should have accurate information. Are dogs really what you think they are?
Class Syllabus
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The co-evolutionary story between humans and dogs, from earliest history to their more recent roles in society and how both they and we have benefited as a result
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The social structure of dogs today: are they really pack animals? What is it to be a "pack" in animal behavior? Do dogs meet criteria?
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Cognitive skills they have (and some we think they don’t!). Are dogs self aware? Do dogs feel guilty? Can they reason?
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The emotional lives of dogs, and the importance of reading them accurately: what emotions are dogs likely to have, and which ones they're not likely to have.
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Instructor: Amy CookAmy Cook, Ph.D. (she/her) has been training dogs for over 30 years, and through Full Circle Dog Training and Play Way Dogs in Oakland, CA, has been specializing in the rehabilitation of shy and fearful dogs for 20 years. She is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the IAABC...(click here for full bio and to view Amy's upcoming courses)