Coaching People to Train Their Dogs

Workshop Overview

 

This popular course has been offered by Terry Ryan for more than a decade. The course material will be conveyed by power-point presentations, video, interactive exercises and hands-on work with people, dogs and chickens. 

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Course participants should have a good working knowledge of the material in the book.  To share more information,  your “live” experience at the workshop different from, but relating to, the material in the book.  During the course, you will receive additional materials in the form of booklets, handouts and printed information.  There will be daily door prizes, gifts and free product samples.

 

Optional evening sessions will be announced on Day One.  The evening sessions often involve guest instructors or local training opportunities in addition to the advertised curriculum. 

 

The topics described in this syllabus follow, but are not limited to, the outline of knowledge requirements for Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) certification.  The Coaching course has been approved for continuing education credit by most training related organizations.

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Topics

BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

Taking profiles, getting to the source of the problem, applying Terry’s “Toolbox”.  Pros and cons of each tool are thoroughly discussed.  We then go on to lateral thinking procedures to come up with new ideas for approaching problems.  Aversives and their fallout are discussed.  Critical thinking exercises help us evaluate our ideas. We end by formulation and implementing a behavior modification program for a visiting client.

 

CLASS ORGANIZATION

Instructional formatting, training games, orientation strategies, homework headstart, handouts, traffic control, personal space issues and fifty ways to stop barking in class.  Evaluating progress and flexibility in approach are shown in three levels:  Puppy, Pet Dog Manners and Continuing Education classes. 

 

DOG TRAINING/TEACHING DOG OWNERS/HANDS ON

A concise overview of reward based training methods.  Community dogs and owners will visit so we can practice various classroom procedures

 

ETHOLOGY / BODY LANGUAGE 

The path of domestication.  How dogs view our world.  Canine body language including stress identification and reduction.  Matters of space and resources. The social development of dogs with an emphasis on puppies.  Agonistic behavior.  Video evaluation.

 

FAMILY DOG SKILLS / CHILDREN & DOGS 

Preparing for baby’s arrival, supervision of children and dogs, good games to play, multitasking for parents of dogs and children.

 

HUSBANDRY / DOG CARE

Handout or brief demo/lecture. We’ll make some toys for environmental enrichment.

 

INSTRUCTION / PEOPLE SKILLS 

Crafting your information into messages readily understood by client learning styles.  The six hats (E. DeBono) method of communication exchange.  Changing negatives into positives.  Explanation strategies, demonstration techniques, individual coaching methods including TAG (Teaching with Acoustical Guidance).  Hands-on practice.

 

THE SCIENCE OF LEARNING / HANDS-ON-ANIMAL TRAINING

Classical and operant conditioning.  Most of the information given is practiced throughout the course with chickens, dogs and each other!  Students will work on shaping and targeting behaviors with chickens. Learning theory is one category in the Legacy  “Jeopardy” game we will play.  It was designed to help people prepare for the national CPDT examination.

 

PUPPY DEVELOPMENT, SOCIALIZATION, TRAINING

The research behind our  “ S.O.C.I.A.L. Puppy” classes. You will plan a lesson

and teach (under supervision!) at a puppy session.

 

BUSINESS TIPS

There are some definite dos and don’ts when it comes to the business

end of a dog training program.  A resource sheet of  business and legal

professionals will be provided for take-home study.

 

TRAINING EQUIPMENT / USE

We will discuss and practice fitting equipment.

 

SPECIAL EVENTS

Local training and behavior opportunities and field trips

may be explored depending on the dates of the course and availability of events.