Dog Behaviorists - Page 8

Fawn, this isn't an answer to your dilemma, but it may be interesting
to you:  There is a guy called Roger Abrantes,  he writes books about
dog communications, canine body-language.  He also gives training/info.
seminars (to eg PET dog trainers, Behaviourists etc), he was over here
to do that last year and Kris (one of the Behaviourists I know) attended.
You may be able to find something helpful to read / get in contact with
him ?   (He isn't all about wild dogs n wolves).

A lot of what you are looking for would seem to be on the lines of "Horse
Whispering" ?  We have a few people calling themselves Dog Whisperers
in the UK, but those I've met or learned anything about just seem to be
'normal'  trainers and/or behaviourists (fully academically qualified or not).
Not ESPECIALLY skilled in reading canine body-talk.

There are folk here running intensive, live-in, handler & dog training courses;  
a few of the 'doggy' people I know use these as a chance for a dog-based
'holiday', a nice break away from home, doing training with their dogs.  It
has always sounded much better to me than the apparent American Way
of sending your dog off to some Trainer by itself.

I think probably anyone 'older' who has been a (successful) Trainer for a good
few years is worth speaking to, as most will have absorbed [or - for Moons - been
born 'knowing'  ] all  about dog body language and advanced training based
on / using that.  PARTICULARLY people who train in any of the advanced dog
sports, rather than just 'good manners for household pets'.  Also, if you can talk
to trainers in the organisations that provide some of the seeing-eye and Service
for Disabled People dogs, they will no doubt have more idea what you are trying
to get at, as they tend to go beyond the 'command & obey'  (or at least I know
that Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs on-staff trainers over here do that).

 I've met many an accredited so called "behaviorist" that was very limited in their assessment and handling abilities.  Most of them like to think they rely on half the operant conditioning formula

Loony, I'm curious to know just what you mean by 'half the operant conditioning formula'.  

Good post, Susie....good example Mindhunt!

Good idea Hundmutter .  I will check him out.   

I was hesitant  to use the term horse whisper, as that too is a term that has been sorely abused, but that is exactly what I was talking about.

 

Oh, doesn't every good step forward end up being 'abused' ?  I too
have seen people claiming Horse Whispering abilities that are not
a patch on Monty Roberts - but what do we do ?   Anything some-
one can make a buck out of ...

Loony, I too would be interested in your definition of the
phrase re: HALF of Operant Conditioning.  Which half ?

Animal Behavior Society.......Now that's impressive.

30 years.....................diabetes cardiac and seizure?

Whisperers........lol

I'm not impressed by the ABS, In don't think that kind of therapy was going on 30 years ago, and whisperers is completely a hype term title what have you.




 

Two Moons, ABS is an accreditation body, as is DACVB.  The people screened by and listed as members are NOT required to use any particular methodology, just meeting the minimum degree and residency requirements to be listed as an affiliated professional. 

Look at the INDIVIDUALS listed with ABS and their actual work or DACVB and decide, DO NOT judge the individual by the CLEARING HOUSE that has recognized their degrees and residencies.  

"Anything someone can make a buck out of ..."
Hundmutter, was that a pun about Buck Brannaman?
lol!