Classical and Operant Conditioning Approaches to Separation Related Problems. Presented by Tracy Krulik

CEUs: PPAB 1.5, IAABC 1.5, KPA 1.5

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Separation related problems seem to be on most dog parents' minds nowadays as the promise of covid vaccines portends a return to working in offices. We are already seeing an increase in dogs displaying more frustration than anxiety when left alone nowadays, as "pandemic pups" -- those adopted during lockdowns -- have had little opportunity to be left alone or even just relax in a quiet setting.

While systematic desensitization continues to be the gold standard training method for dogs who are afraid to be alone, a down-stay DRI is highly effective for dogs who are frustrated and can even be helpful for the fearful pups as well. Join us to brush up on your desensitization training skills as well as learn how to use a DRI down-stay to help more families gain the ability to leave their homes without worrying about their dog.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the different types of separation related problems and how to distinguish them. (i.e anxiety, frustration, underlying health issue.)

2. Prepare clients to understand how desensitization works so that they are prepared to work at the dog's pace.

3. Actively assess the dog's fear/frustration threshold while beginning to help the dog become more relaxed within the first desensitization session.

4. Use down-stay training to aid in a number of ways as needed per each dog: impulse control, frustration reduction, increased relaxation, and habituation to the sights and sounds of a departure.

About The Presenter

Tracy Krulik

Northern Virginia based certified canine separation anxiety trainer and honors graduate of Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog Trainers, Tracy Krulik, CTC, CSAT, is the founder and managing editor of iSpeakDog — a website and public awareness campaign to teach dog body language and behavior.

Krulik trains dogs with separation anxiety for the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, D.C., group separation anxiety classes for Your Dog's Friend, and works with private clients around the world remotely online. Her writing can be found in publications including The Bark magazine, The Washington Post, and The Chronicle of the Dog. Krulik’s passion is helping fearful dogs discover confidence and joy — just as she did for her once “fraidy” pup, Emma the Beagle. Visit www.tracykrulik.com to learn more.