Course Details
Going someplace novel can be worrisome for many dogs. They often need time to check things out to ensure that they are safe. Whether you are going into competition, to the vet, to a training class, to a public place or simply a new environment where they are unsure about their surroundings, letting them acclimate can help set them up for success. This most commonly embraces the idea of letting your dog sniff and explore the new environment, giving them the opportunity to make safe choices. This is what I would refer to as passive acclimation. Behavioral acclimation can take on a more active process when we use specific actions that help the dog adapt to its new surroundings.
Considering active acclimation as another way to help our dogs, we can apply the use of marker cues in a strategic pattern, the use of the Dopamine box, a ‘magic’ mat, or even the two-bowl game where predictability and a highly positive Conditioned Emotional Response has been created within these actions.
In this presentation we will explore the use of these more active processes to help our dog adapt.
About the Instructor:
Karen Deeds is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). She is the co-owner of Canine Connection which has recently relocated to Memphis TN with her husband, Bob Deeds, a retired Federal K9 Handler on Texas Task Force I. Karen started her business in 1994 after realizing the need for educating the public about dog training and behavior while volunteering for a local humane society. She worked in the Assistance Dog Field for 15 years and the vet profession for 9 years. She currently provides her expertise on behavior problems including fear, anxiety, and aggression. She has consulted and worked with thousands of pet dog owners, many shelters and rescue organizations, as well as has testified in dozens of court cases regarding dog bites. She specializes in reactivity and is currently teaching online classes through Facebook as well as FDSA and does webinars and seminars on the topic. She also specializes in Puppy Problem prevention in the home and working with Reactivity and aggression cases. She has also competed heavily in AKC Rally on a State and National level and has worked with conformation, rally, obedience, and agility dogs to help improve their emotional state.
Karen was the Tarrant County (TX) Veterinary Medical Association’s 2009 “Community Service Award” winner for her work in the field of canine aggression. In 2010, Karen received the “Community Educator of the Year Award” from the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
Karen has presented seminars to the public, rescue groups, animal control officers, at various dog training clubs, dog training facilities, and various shelters throughout Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Ohio, and Tennessee. She has presented at the Dallas SPCA, Texas A&M Veterinary College Behavior Club, Texas Animal Control Association Conference, Missouri Animal Control Conference, Tennessee Animal Care & Control, the annual Texas Unites for Animals, and the APDT and IAABC conference. She recently was invited to and presented at The International Dog Bite Prevention Symposium in South Korea. She is often called upon to help rescue groups make difficult decisions about behaviorally challenged dogs in their care. Her work with high drive working and sport dogs have helped develop more comprehensive behavior modification protocols that are dramatically impacting the success of her students.
