VSPN TECH324-0921: Dog Behavior 101: Things Every Veterinary Professional Should Know!

The real time sessions for this course will be presented via Zoom webinar platform.

Presenter: Rachel Lees RVT, KPA CTP, VTS (Behavior)
Course Open: September 1-October 9, 2021
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Wednesdays, September 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2021; 8:30-10:00 PM ET (USA)    World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 6
RACE Category: 6 hours Medical

Enrollment is closed.

Course Information:
Are you like many of us in veterinary medicine and have a not-so well-behaved dog? Or would like to spruce up your canine behavior knowledge? Or are you looking to specialize in behavior? Or would you just like to improve your understanding of your canine patients to help keep dogs in their homes long term? Regardless of your reason, join us for the Dog Behavior 101 course. In this 4-week course, each attendee will learn the basics of canine behavior, including canine body language, creating positive veterinary experiences, understanding the current science of animal training, and how to work through common behavior issues. The presenter will discuss unwanted behaviors such as jumping, attention-seeking, and chewing/mouthing while also addressing how to introduce a dog to a household and demonstrating clicker training with dogs. Veterinary behavior medicine is ALWAYS advancing. Whether you are new to veterinary medicine or have been in practice, this course will review ALL behavior basics every general veterinary practice should know about in the world of dogs!

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:
  • Read canine body language and understand the signs of fear, stress, and anxiety in all dogs.
  • Understand safe handling techniques and understand how to keep team members and canines safe and as stress-free as possible during veterinary visits.
  • Troubleshoot everyday canine behavioral issues that are discussed in general practice and give evidence-based recommendations.
  • Show an understanding the basics of using a conditioned reinforcer and using positive reinforcement to reinforce positive behavior.
Level and Prerequisites: This basic VSPN CE course is open for enrollment to veterinary technicians/technologists and support staff actively interested in canine behavior.

RACE Accreditation: This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. (20-844335)

Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session September 8): Using your Eyes to Understand Communication: Reading Body Language and Keeping Veterinary Teams Safe with Canine Patients
This real time session will review canine body language and review the difference between a behaviorally comfortable dog vs a fearful/concerned dog. Attendees will leave understanding the signs of fear, stress, and anxiety in dogs while also providing insights on how to create a positive atmosphere for dogs (and staff when working with dogs) at the veterinary hospital.

strong>Week 2 (Real Time Session September 15): Pavlov Who? Understanding Learning Theory, Punishment, and Dominance Theory
This real time session will review learning theory and how our canine patients learn. The instructor will review the four quadrants of learning and will review punishment/dominance theory and it's role (or non-role) in veterinary behavior medicine. The technician will discuss how to give the best recommendations for an animal trainer so we can set our clients up for as much success as possible.

Week 3 (Real Time Session September 22): I Adopted a Puppy... But it turned into a Velociraptor! Helping Troubleshoot Common Behavior Issues in Dogs
This real time session will address common unwanted canine behavior issues such as jumping, attention seeking, play biting, and housetraining. Attendees will also learn the appropriate way to slowly work through a canine introduction to a household and how to manage behavior problems. The presenter will also discuss when it is time to refer to a behavior specialist (DACVB) instead of continuing to treat in the general practice setting.

Week 4 (Real Time Session September 29): Click This!
In this final real time session, the instructor will review the basics of clicker training, clicker mechanics, and how to teach common foundation behaviors using capturing and shaping techniques.

Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.

Enrollment is closed.

Tuition: $126 ($113 early bird special if enrolled by August 18, 2021)
Prices are listed in US dollars.

* Students currently enrolled in an AVMA accredited or CVMA approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on September 8, 2021 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

To Enroll:
  1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  3. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext.792 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN office 800-846-0028 ext. 792 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VSPN's upcoming CE courses, check the VSPN Course Catalog.

VSPN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 792
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357