This year's conference of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) featured Behavior Analyst, Dr. Susan Friedman and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Pamela Reid along with several IAABC member-speakers, including yours truly. The conference was held at the Doubletree in Houston, TX and sponsored by Premier Pet Prodcucts, Comfort Zone, Kong, Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Karen Pryor Academy for Dog Trainers and Austin Cotton.
Susan Friedman is a psychology professor at Utah State University. Over the last decade, she has helped pioneer efforts to apply to animals the scientifically sound teaching technology and ethical standard of Applied Behavior Analysis that is so effective with human learners. Susan is a core member of the US Fish & Wildlife Service's California Condor Recovery Team and has been nominated for the Media Award, given by the International Association of Behavior Analysis, for her efforts to disseminate to pet owners, veterinarians, animal trainers and zookeepers the essential tools they need to empower and enrich the lives of all learners. Susan presented twice at the IAABC conference. Her keynote address, "Beyond Classical and Operant Conditioning - Are There Other Ways Animals Learn" set the tone for the 3-day educational conference. Her second presentation was "A Protocol for the Functional Assessment of Behavior Problems and Intervention Design" I began using Susan's functional assessment model a few years ago after attending one of her talks. I find it extremely valuable in assessing problem behaviors in dogs. It helps me to design an effective behavior-change plan that also fits in with each clients' individual needs, environment and skills. But enough about me.
Pamela Reid is the Vice President of the ASPCA's national Animal Behavior Center in Urbana, IL and author of the book, "Excel-erated Learning". She has consulted with the US Department of Defense for several years on the use of dogs for narcotics and explosives detection and has served on committees for APDT, Delta Society, American Humane Association, PetsMart, Humane Society of the US, Animal Behavior Society, and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Pam spoke about "Dominance Theory". Dogs with behavior problems are often called "dominant" and regardless of the nature of the behavior problem owners are advised that they need to be the "Alpha" and follow irrelevant or abusive practices. This popular misconception has led to a faction of dog trainers who have rejected the concept of dominance altogether. Pam argued that both positions are misguided and called for more research in order to gain a scientifically valid understanding of how groups of dogs enforce social rules. Pam Reid's book "Excel-erated Learning" was instrumental in helping me wade through the sometimes subtle nuances of operant and classical conditioning to earn my CPDT certification.