The Full Picture - An in-depth workshop featuring academic and skill exploration of classic and new research in instrumental learning

An in-depth workshop featuring academic and skill exploration of classic and new research in instrumental learning. 

Instructed by Dr. Kristina Spaulding

About Dr. Kristina Spaulding. 

CEUs: PPAB 6, IAABC (pending), KPA (pending), CCPDT (pending)

As trainers and behavior consultants, our primary goal is to increase and/or decrease behavior. This involves instrumental conditioning. Having a strong understanding in the science of instrumental learning will greatly improve your ability to change behavior effectively and humanely. This course covers the basics of instrumental learning, the side effects and alternatives to punishment, the latest research on training methods and their impact on behavior and the biology of learning.

Who Is This Workshop For?

This course is for anybody interested in the training of dogs. Beginners, or those wanting an in-depth review of instrumental learning, would benefit from taking the entire course. If you already have a strong understanding of the four quadrants and the side effects of punishment, sessions 3 and 4 still have something to offer! Session 3 covers the latest research on training methods, including the effectiveness of clicker training and “effort-based training”. Session 4 discusses evolution, genetics and physiology in relation to learning and behavior.

Remote Support via Facebook Group

Attendees who purchased the package will be invited into the Facebook group 5 days prior to the start of the workshop.

Working Spots (Strictly Limited to 15 spots ONLY!) - After each webinar Dr. Kristina Spaulding will post information regarding the key skills you will need to practice and master. Those attendees who are registered for a working spot will have the opportunity to post videos of their training sessions and receive mentoring support and feedback directly from Kristina in the Facebook Group. Each of the Recorded webinars and recorded Q&A sessions will be posted in the group a few hours after the live event.

Auditors (package only) - We will have a Facebook group set up for all attendees where information regarding the webinars and necessary links will be posted. Attendees can network here with other attendees and benefit from discussions and deliberations regarding the information. Recorded webinars and recorded Q&A sessions will be posted in the group a few hours after the live event.

Individual Session Attendees – Those who register for just one or more individual session will receive a copy of the webinar recording within 48 hours of the session.

The Facebook group for attendees who purchase a workshop package will be disbanded 4 weeks post the last workshop session.

Session Details

Session 1 – Just the Basics

Date: February 7, 2022

- Definition of learning
- Basics
- Types of instrumental conditioning
- Producing behaviors

Homework Working Spots

Provide video of you teaching three behaviors, each using a different method

- Explain your reasoning behind using a particular method for a particular behavior. For example, why did you use luring to teach behavior Y and capturing to train behavior Z?

Identify the type of instrumental conditioning

After watching an assigned video identify:

- The type of learning going on – positive or negative reinforcement or punishment?
- The antecedent, behavior, and consequence
- Which animal you are focusing on. (You can do both if you want, just make sure you’re clear about who you’re talking about because it could change the answer!)

Session 2 - All About Punishment

Date: February 9, 2022

- Punishment intro
- Effective punishment
- Does punishment work?
- Side effects
- Alternatives to punishment

Homework Working Spots

Provide a video of you using an alternative to punishment to decrease a behavior

Session 3 - Training methods

Date: February 14, 2022

- Important factors
- Positive reinforcement vs. aversives in dogs
- Clicker training/Do As I Do
- Effort-based training

Homework Working Spots

Video of clicker training vs. training with no marker – report your observations – OR – video of you engaging in effort-based training with an animal of your choice

Session 4 - The Biology of Learning

Date: February 16, 2022

- Natural selection/evolution
- Genetics and behavior
- G x E
- Epigenetics
- Physiology and behavior
- Neurobiology

Homework Working Spots

Client communication – what key points do clients need to know about the biology of learning? How would you communicate this clearly and concisely? (200 words or less)

Spread Your Event Payments Over Several Months?

If you would like to split your event cost into three payments then please register for the event, do not pay the invoice you receive by email. As soon as you register email Sharon Nettles at Events@petprofessionalguild.com and request your payments be split into three invoices. You will then need to pay the first invoice immediately to secure your place.

Only available for Auditor and Working Spots.

All three invoices must be settled 2 weeks prior to the event.