About the Course
In Level 1 Behavior Insights of the Family Dog Connections Program, you are guided on a journey of discovery and understanding. Through engaging exercises and personalized guidance, you will gain valuable insights into the intricate world of canine behavior.
This level lays the foundation by fostering observational skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deeper appreciation for the individuality of your family dog. Valeria's expertise illuminates the behavior and ethology of dogs, principles of learning, and the significance of environment and genetics in shaping behavior. These insightful lessons pave the way for meaningful connections and set the stage for transformative growth for you and your family dog.
Foundations of Mutual Communication
Video Modules:
🎬 Empowering Communication Through Behavior
🎬 Reinforcing Communication Behaviors
🎬 Introducing the Leash
What You’ll Learn:
Recognize and Interpret Basic Canine Behavior: Learn to observe and understand the subtle ways your dog communicates, including voluntary behaviors like sitting or making eye contact.
Use Positive Reinforcement and Timing: Practice positive reinforcement, using timing and rewards that encourage calm behaviors your dog can offer naturally.
What Your Dog Will Be Able to Do:
Sit and Wait in Basic Contexts: Begin to use “sit” and waiting calmly as a way to politely request things, rather than jumping or barking.
Respond to You with More Focus: Look to you for guidance and be more attentive to your presence, making it easier for your dog to follow cues.
Benefits:
Builds a foundation for communication and mutual understanding between you and your dog.
Reduces frustration by giving your dog clear, positive ways to communicate their needs and desires.
Sets up a positive foundation for introducing the leash, making your dog comfortable with this new experience.
Decoding Dog Behavior
Video Modules:
🎬 10 Steps to Behavior Change
🎬 Myth Busting
🎬 How Dogs Learn
🎬 Alternatives to Undesirable Behavior (Repertoires)
What You’ll Learn:
Build Positive Communication Skills: Reinforce behaviors that you want to see more of, like “sit” and waiting, helping your dog learn how to communicate politely for things they want.
Start Building Impulse Control: Practice basic exercises that encourage your dog to wait calmly, beginning to build self regulation that can apply to mealtime, doorways, and more.
What Your Dog Will Be Able to Do:
Offer Polite Behaviors More Often: Your dog will begin naturally offering calm behaviors, such as sitting, without needing to be told, making everyday interactions smoother.
Engage in Positive Routine Behaviors at Home: Display patience in common routines, such as waiting briefly before meals or when preparing to go outside.
Benefits:
Helps you understand your dog’s behavior patterns, allowing you to make informed choices that encourage positive behaviors.
Builds trust through consistent reinforcement, leading to a calmer, more cooperative home environment.
Lays the groundwork for future self-regulation and polite responses in various contexts.
Cultivating Cooperative Behavior
Video Modules:
🎬 The Waiter Game & Adding the “Sit” Cue
🎬 A Comprehensive Guide to Teaching Your Dog
🎬 Imagine the Perfect Dog
🎬 The Jewelry Game & Door Etiquette
Establish Calm and Cooperative Routines: Develop routines that encourage patience and calmness, like waiting politely at doors or before being fed, reducing impulsive or disruptive behaviors.
Encouragement of Offered Behaviors: Reinforce your dog’s natural choices, helping them learn how to get attention or access politely by offering a behavior (like sitting) rather than demanding it.
What Your Dog Will Be Able to Do:
Demonstrate Calm Behaviors During Routines: Wait calmly at doors, food bowls, and other thresholds, applying the “sit” behavior in different contexts and making preparation for walks or outings a positive experience.
Increase Focus and Cooperation: Look to you for guidance, with growing responsiveness to both verbal and environmental cues.
Benefits:
Teaches your dog patience and cooperation in ways that apply to real-life routines and interactions.
Reduces unwanted behaviors by replacing them with polite behaviors, like sitting or waiting.
Prepares both you and your dog for ongoing learning, providing a reliable foundation for tackling more specific or advanced challenges.