Advanced Clicker Camp
As mentioned above, the study of social-cognitive learning theory (SCT) in animals is not new science. The research on SCT dates back to the 1950s with experiments on monkeys. In the 1990s, scientists incorporated the dog into their studies which have contributed to the advancement of SCT learning in domestic animals such as canids and more recently equids.
During this two (2) day workshop, you will learn about SCT, revisit behaviourism theories, and perfect your clicker training skills with the help of various species of animals. The goal of the workshop is to build a new learning model, increase your speed and timing to perfect your training skills.
The overall objective is to teach you how to avoid lures and shape behaviour in a faster and more efficient way of training. Furthermore, you will learn to effectively capture and modify behaviour with the use of various conditioned stimuli. This workshop is ideal for intermediate to advanced trainers.
Day One:
- Behaviourism & SCT.
- Clicker training for two learning models.
- Free shaping dog behaviour.
Day Two:
- Behaviourism & SCT.
- Working with rodents & the SCT model.
- Free shaping rodent behaviour.
We work with animals, so please consider the schedule might change last minute.
If you have allergies and wish to participate, please make sure to take or bring the appropriate medication. This is a dog event unless otherwise stipulated.
Please note: this event is only given once a year and places are limited. For more info about our workshops please click here. For scheduled events, please visit our Dogue's Events page for dates and times.
Dog in the mirror is God
This workshop is based on the book Dog in the mirror is God: A scientifically spiritual approach to treating human and dog behaviour problems. The presentation will focus on social-cognitive learning theory and the practical application of mirroring projections back to the self to help modify human and dog behaviour simultaneously.
During the workshop, there will be practical applications of the concepts discussed in the book. Furthermore, there will be role-playing exercises to better understand the triggers that transfer onto the dog.
This event will solicit emotional reactions from the participant, as such, please come with a non-judgmental view of yourself and others. We wish to offer a safe environment intended to release projections and negative thoughts and emotions attached to the self, in order to promote a stronger relationship with the Self and the dog.
We do not supply notes for this workshop; consequently, you will need to bring paper and a pen should you wish to jot down your answers to the proposed exercises.
This is a dog event: however, dogs will have to be pre-approved in order to attend.
Please look at the Dogue's Event section to find the next available dates.
Social Learning Series
The study of social-cognitive learning theory (SCT) in animals is not new science. The research on SCT dates back to the 1950s. The 1990s also contributed to the advancement of SCT learning in animals such as dogs and more recently horses.
Thirteen years ago, the Dogue Shop innovated and incorporated SCT to its teaching programs, classes, and other animal learning events. Science is changing the way we interact and train animals; consequently, we now offer our innovative series of workshops to other animal professionals.
The workshops are presented in Montreal and focus on dog social cognitive learning theory: dog attachment, dog cognition, and dog imitation. Gaby designed the series for intermediate to advanced trainers who wish to further their knowledge and add new skills to their toolbox.
As with all our seminars and workshops, we include notes and supplies in the prices. We give the classes on Wednesday nights. Each class is three hours long. Should you wish to receive the schedule when it comes out, please subscribe to our newsletter. We promise we won't inundate your e-mail box.
Workshops are designed independently from one another. Thus, you can take the workshops individually. Should you wish to take all three workshops, we suggest you take them in order: attachment, cognition, imitation. The workshop will focus on the dog as our partner; therefore, dogs are welcome in this series of workshops after they are approved. The following key points are the knowledge you can expect to learn from our social learning workshop series.
- Attachment styles
- Attachment exercises
- Cognitive processing
- Cognitive abilities
- Cognitive memory
- Cognitive exercises
- Verbal cues& behaviours
- Imitation rule/s
- Train complex behaviours
Dog Social Attachment
The first workshop in the series is called Social Attachment. The workshop is a derivative of Bandura's social cognitive learning theory. The focus of the workshop is to understand the different attachment styles, how to modify attachment via tangible exercises, and how to maintain a positive attachment despite life's busy environment.
Human-dog relationships, or lack thereof, will be observed, discussed, and experimented. Participants are welcome to bring their dog or an unfamiliar dog. In any case, participants in this workshop will work with familiar and unfamiliar dogs to grasp new concepts and training protocols. We will conduct strange situation evaluations and conduct assessments of attachment styles to identify social cues better.
There's a high possibility we will add a "part two" series with horses to this workshop. We will keep participants informed via our newsletter. You can subscribe here for future information. 
Dog Social Cognition, AKA Brain Games
The second workshop in the series is called Cognitive Brain Games. The workshop is based on the social-cognitive learning theory. The workshop is a hands-on class designed to teach you how to develop your dog's problem-solving skills and deepen your bond. We will explore science-based tests to identify how you and your dog are bonded, mutually trusting, and so forth.
These activities will also tire dogs in a fraction of the time it would typically take with physical activity. Fifteen minutes of cognitive stimulation via problem-solving is equivalent to approximately one hour of physical activity. Yes, you read that right !!!
During these workshops, participants will learn why dogs should play brain games, and how to create DIY puzzles, games, and toys designed to stimulate your pet mentally. From commercial toys to the recycling box, we will teach you how to enrich your dog's life. Participants are encouraged to bring challenging, nonaggressive, dogs to this workshop.
Dog Social Imitation
The last workshop in our social learning series is called Social Imitation and is based on Do As I Do research from Hayes & Hayes (1952). Furthermore, our workshop incorporates Claudia Fugazza's social learning rule (Fugazza & Miklósi, 2014). For those who follow us, you will remember Claudia Fugazza from our summer 2016 seminar.
During the workshop, you will learn the Do As I Do protocol and start to teach your dog to imitate your actions. Before you can participate in the workshop you will be required to train specific behaviours. It is highly recommended you communicate with us beforehand should you wish to participate actively.
We offer an observation discount should you decide your dog cannot partake in the exercises. This workshop is a dog event. Thus, you will need to reserve your spot should you wish to come with your beloved canine partner.
For more information contact Gaby or visit the Dogue’s Events page for future dates. This workshop is free to ABA-2 students or professionals who have taken Claudia Fugazza’s seminar in the past. Please note, we have limited space, as such, we will require a receipt from your participation to a past event.
Hope to see you at one of our events.
Cheers!