What You Will Learn
Follow a scientifically grounded approach to understanding how behavior functions and how it can be modified to improve quality of life for dogs and their pet sitters.
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Understand how dogs learn (principles of learning) and interpret their environment.
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How to observe a dog’s reaction to their environment.
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Gather data to create behavior change for simple and complex dog behavior. (Level 1 dog behavior (jumping, barking, pulling, running away, easily excited).
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Identify and understand causes of simple and complex dog behavior (Level 1).
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Implement a plan of action rooted in learning theory and observations.
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Evaluate effectiveness of the plan of action.
Outcomes
Enjoy smoother daily care by understanding what drives behavior and discovering simple ways to create positive change—even with complex behaviors
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Effective Communication – Understand why behaviors happen and how to teach a new behavior or reinforce a current behavior.
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Problem Prevention – Learn management strategies to manage barking, jumping, pulling, or easily excited behavior during pet sitting appointments.
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Apply: Learn how to quickly apply skills in real life situations to improve behavior using data-driven, individualized, and effective interventions.
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Build Partnerships: Learn to work closely with or refer out to a certified dog behavior consultant and veterinary behaviorist.
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Efficiency: Understand how to teach new skills that makes pet sitting visits smoother.
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Professionalism – Demonstrating understanding of learning and behavior sets a sitter apart. Clients feel confident knowing their skilled sitter can manage barking, pulling, or excitement calmly and effectively.
Your Instructor
Fanna Easter
[email protected]
With a specialty in canine separation anxiety and compulsive disorders, Fanna brings deep expertise in working with complex behavior cases. She is the founder of Positive Pooch Behavior, offering remote behavior support, and has more than a decade of experience in a veterinary behavior practice serving a large urban area.
Fanna also played a pivotal role in launching a nationwide positive reinforcement training program across 1,500 Petco locations and helped develop education for over 2,000 dog trainers. A past APDT Chair (2022), she continues to be a respected voice in the industry.
She has earned multiple national dog behavior certifications, such as Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT), Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA since 2003), Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP) and Fear Free Animal Trainer. Additionally, Fanna has presented at pet sitter and dog training/behavior conferences.