Purpose: The lecture series aims to introduce participants to a variety of topics and points of view within the canine industry in an online meeting environment.

Series General Information: The lecture series has a number of different specialty areas. Each specialty area is moderated by a leader in the field and lectures are provided by luminaries who have spent a lifetime studying, working in and writing about their chosen specialty. A detailed list of the different lecture series on offer can be found below. Click on each series link to access detailed information on topics, presenters and moderators.

Prerequisites: None

Course Length: Each series offers a 90 minute lecture once a month. The series are ongoing with no defined start or end date. Specific dates and times for each series can be found by clicking on the individual series’ link below.

Course Format: All lectures are only available in the Live Online format. Participants may register for a single lecture or for a block of lectures. 3, 6 or 12 month blocks are available. For individuals unable to participate in the Live lecture due to time differences and personal schedules we recommend that you purchase a lecture of interest from The Library. Scroll to the bottom of the page for details on this purchase option.

LIVE online lectures: This format of each monthly session will be a ninety-minute question and answer session with a moderator and a single guest lecturer. Participants, through their home computers, will have access to a multi-media, on-line, virtual classroom, in which they may view text, photo, and video slides in PowerPoint format and simultaneously taking part in live Q & A session, via a telephone connection. These 90 minute sessions are jam-packed with information. Each program will be recorded live, and participants may revisit the program in its recorded form up to three times within the month following its original presentation date. Participants will receive handouts, and suggested readings prior to the evening’s event, and may prepare and submit questions, in writing, for the experts, that may be answered live, as time permits.

Series Specialties:

Ethology and Canine Behaviour Series

Health and Wellness Series (Coming in Summer 2012)

Breeding and Genetics (Coming in Fall 2012)

The Library: Each lecture is recorded and is available for purchase as an OnDemand session. Lectures are added to the Library for purchase 60 days after the Live lecture has been completed. The on-demand purchase of each lecture may be accessed three times within a month of the purchase date. Participants will receive a link to the recorded lecture, the suggested readings list and the CEU credit. Participants will NOT receive any handouts or course materials nor will they be able to ask questions of the lecturer. To see a list of available lectures in the library and to register click HERE.

Course Fees -

For Credit Live and OnDemand: A single lecture: $25.00

To Register simply go to the series you are interested in and click on the “ADD TO CART” button on the series page.

Student Information:

2012 LIVE Schedule

Moderator – Monique Udell, Ph.D.

March 1, 2012

Live Online-8:00-9:30 EST; (Available OnDemand March
Deep in Thought or Panting Mindlessly? A Scientific Investigation of Anthropomorphism. Speaker Julie Hecht, MSc Lab Manager, Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab @ Barnard College
Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics to objects, events or nonhuman animals. It is often framed as the misattribution of human qualities to that which is not human. How do we consider an animal’s point of view while guarding against inappropriate use of anthropomorphism? And what does inappropriate anthropomorphism even look like? This presentation pulls from various disciplines to explore: how and why we anthropomorphize, physical and behavioral prompts of anthropomorphisms and exciting new research investigating notable anthropomorphisms.

Lecture Fee –

For Credit Live: $25.00

Please go to: The Library for a detailed list of available lectures, fees and important information regarding registration and access to this wonderful resource. Each lecture is recorded and is available for purchase as an OnDemand session. Lectures are added to the Library for purchase 60 days after the Live lecture has been completed. The on-demand purchase of each lecture may be accessed three times within a month of the purchase date. Participants will receive a link to the recorded lecture, the suggested readings list and the CEU credit. Participants will NOT receive any handouts or course materials nor will they be able to ask questions of the lecturer.

Cost per OnDemand recorded lecture session: $25.00 USD Students may access the link three times within the month following purchase.

The following is a list of recorded lectures from the Lecture Series available for purchase as OnDemand sessions.

Ethology and Its Place in Animal Science: Erich Klinghammer, Ph.D (Recorded October, 2010) Description:  This lecture establishes an understanding of ethology, the history of the field and the contributions ethologists have made to the understanding of the behavior of canines and other species. CEU’s: CCPDT=1.5 CBCC-KA; IAABC1.5 CEU’s

Emotions as Learned Behavior: Kellie Snider, MS (Recorded November, 2010) Description:  This lecture will help improve the ability of participants to accurately observe dogs in real world situations, to understand how emotions play a role in learning, and how emotions themselves can be learned behaviors

Dog Play “Gone Bad”: Sue Alexander (Recorded December, 2010) Description:  The emphasis in this lecture is on the nature of canine play and how to assess behavioral cues in order to prevent play escalating into a dangerous fight. Students learn how to recognize behavioral cues that t indicate that play is escalating and might evolve into a dangerous fight.

Of Wolves and Dogs: From The Big Bang to the Chihauhau: Charlie Berger, DVM (Recorded January, 2011) Description:  Dr Berger discusses the evolution of dogs, their relationship to wolves, and the association of dogs with humans from pre-historic times to the present. Participants will have increased knowledge of the origin of all canids, how they began their association with humans, and how humans have influenced the evolution of dogs in general, and dog breeds specifically, in recent times.

Canine Cognition: Clive Wynne (Recorded February 3, 2011) Description:  Dr. Wynne  discusses the historical and current studies of canine cognition, including studies comparing the abilities of dogs and wolves.  Also addressed are questions related to how anthropomorphism effects human interpretation of canine ability and whether or not canines have a “theory of mind.”

Dominance Behavior in Wolves and Dogs: Monty Sloan (Recorded March 3, 2011) Description:  Monty Sloan discusses “Dominance Theory” and how it applies differently to dogs and wolves.  Also addressed is the relevance of “dominance” in captive and wild wolf packs, and in groups of dogs, including the differences between dominance and leadership.

Differentiating Between Fearful and Submissive Behavior in Canines: Monty Sloan (Recorded April 7, 2011) Description: Monty Sloan presents information about the comparative definitions of fear and submission. Photo illustrations allow participants to learn to differentiate between the body language signals of these differing emotional states in wolves and dogs.

Aggressive Behavior With Dogs ~ Solutions and Strategies: Ken McCort (Recorded May 5, 2011) Description: Ken McCort presents information about the comparative definitions of types of canine aggression, as well as strategies and solutions for working with aggressive dogs.  He uses photo illustrations allowing participants to learn to differentiate between the body language signals of these differing types of aggression.

Temperament Assessment for Function or Friend: Nina Bondarenko (Recorded June 2, 2011) Description: Students will gain an understanding of temperament testing and assessments such as: what is assessed; who assesses; does assessment work; what tests are available; dog personality assessments for Assistance Dogs; what personality traits make a good Assistance Dog; example of an assessment; and how to test puppies for canine working careers and for pet homes.

Behavior Adjustment Training For Reactive Dogs: Grisha Stewart (Recorded July 2011) Description: BAT is method to reduce reactivity by giving dogs socially acceptable ways to communicate their needs. This lecture will provide the student with a solid understanding of the history and science behind the BAT method and knowledge of the application of BAT (“how to”).

Developing Self-Control in Dogs with Behavioral Issues: Dee Ganley (Recorded: August 4 2011) Description: Dee Ganley, author of “Changing People, Changing Dogs” covers several practical methods of teaching dogs to achieve self control. This 90 minute lecture is jam-packed with information and video demonstrations that will have you and your dog, or your clients and their dogs, on their way to a happy and satisfying relationship.

Learning Styles of Dogs: Rachel Friedman, MSW, LISW (Recorded September 1 2011) Description: Many know about the different learning styles of people. In this lecture, learn about the Learning Styles of Dogs. Then how to use that knowledge in providing practical and reality based applications in dog training  –  regardless of age, breed or gender.

Keeping Dogs Safe During Dog to Dog Encounters: Barbara Handelman, M.Ed, CDBC, Certified Behavior Consultant (Recorded October 6 2011) Description: In this lecture the following subjects are discussed in-depth, with accompanying illustrations in the form of photographs and videotapes of dogs interacting: Distance increasing signals; Distance decreasing signals; Play invitation behaviors; Metasignals (how the dogs know it really is still play); and, Indicators of stress: ranging from mild to extreme.

Too Dog-Tired to Behave: Self-Control in Canines is Sensitive to Fatigue Speaker Holly Miller, Ph.D. (Recorded November 3, 2011) Description: Research with humans and dogs suggests that executive control relies on a limited resource and that invoking executive control depletes this resource. Once depleted, subsequent efforts to control behavior are impaired and greater impulsivity, memory impairment, and aggression are observed. Research suggests that these deficits associated with depletion can be eliminated if subjects consume a glucose (but not a calorie-free) drink.studies self-control in humans and dogs. As a graduate student at the University of Kentucky, Holly helped develop the Canine Cognition Lab and Science Dog Daycare at the University of Kentucky.

The Development of Behavior in Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and Wolves (Canis lupus lupus): Kathryn Lord, Ph.D. (Recorded December 1, 2011) Description:
While many dog trainers use similarities between dogs and wolves to inform their training and handling techniques, it is their differences that teach us the most. This talk will be focused on my research investigating early behavioral differences between dogs and wolves, and how these differences effect later adult behavior and training.

Research in Dog Training: Current Projects and Future Directions: Nicole Dorey, Ph.D. (Recorded January 5, 2012) Description: With so many different training methods available to dog trainers, research in dog training is very important. This lecture will discuss some of the research that has been conducted to date and that is currently being conducting by Dr. Nicole Dorey. The hope is that this information will inspire dog trainers to think critically about the methods that they use and to investigate which is the best method for optimal learning.