Who we are
Now Certified
In September, Kevin took the Certified Pet Dog Trainer
examination - a four hour, 250 question test administered
by the Professional Testing Corporation under the auspices
of the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers. 6 weeks later
Kevin received notice that he has passed the certification
exam and is now a "CPDT" (Certified Pet Dog Trainer).
He is working with the association to assist in defining
subsequent, higher levels, of certification.
Are Group Classes
Right?
Click Here for
an article about whether group classes are right
for your situation.
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At Thinking Animals, we believe that animals do think and
that, as trainers, we can make use of those thinking abilities to provide a better,
faster, and more efficient training process. In effect, rather than training an
animal, we believe it is possible - and better - to teach an animal how to train
itself.
Perhaps that sounds pretty "new age" to many of you. Please note,
however, that we're based on hard-headed engineering and scientific
research, drawing upon the works of B. F. Skinner (a Harvard psychologist),
Dr. Ian Dunbar, MRCVS and Ph.D, Dr. Marian Breland, Ph.D, Bob Bailey of
Animal Behavior Enterprises, and a host of others.
What is the research background behind this methodology? Over 50,000
animals trained, ranging from dogs and cats, to marine mammals (such as
killer whales and porpoises), birds, even a goldfish. There's even a school
teaching airplane pilots using these techniques.
Of course, different animals have different capabilities. Even individual
animals have different (for lack of a better word) personalities, meaning
that the details do differ. However, the same basic theories apply regardless.
It's in the application of those theories that things change.
And that's why trainers exist - to amass experience that allows them to
diagnose and apply the details that benefit the training exercise.
At Thinking Animals, we believe that our job is to train, not
the animal, but the owner.
We teach YOU to train your pet.
Available for Lecture and Speaking
engagements
Thinking Animals is available to provide lecturers, seminar
leaders, and speakers on animal behavior, training, and problem solving.
Please contact us for more information. The following is a list of some of our
past and upcoming talks.
- Spring, 2005, Telecourse
Ethology for the layman
- November 17, 2004, Orchard Hills Veterinary Clinic
Washougal, WA, Animal Aggression and handling protocols
- August 15, 2004, West Columbia Gorge Humane Society Fundraiser
Esther Short Park, Vancouver, WA, Fun/Non-Competitive Dog Agility
- June 26, 2004, Bark In The Bark
Clicker Training
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July 17, 2003, Dog Owner's Group
Dog Park Aggression
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July 19, 2003, Dog Days of Tigard
Potso Dog Park, Tigard, OR, Introduction to Clicker and Modern Training
Methods
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August 17th, 2003, West Columbia Gorge Humane Society Fund Raiser
Esther Short Park, Vancouver, WA, Fun/Non-Competitive Dog
Agility
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September 18, 2003, Washington/Columbia Veterinarian's Association
Behavioral Markers
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October 15, 2003, Washington/Columbia Veterinarian's Association
Behavioral Markers (repeat)
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December 6, 2003, Vancouver PetCo
Introduction to Clicker and Modern Training Methods
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December 20, 2003, Vancouver PetCo
Introduction to Clicker and Modern Training Methods (repeat)
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