Kay Laurence - Learning About Dogs

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When we plan the future of this wonderful new life we can begin to think in terms of how we want them to be as adults. This can make our training plans quite narrow and centric to our expectations.
Instead if we view them as learners that can be flexible then there is no limit to what they can learn for all of their future.

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On this episode of the Learning About Dogs podcast, we questions from listeners
We have a Facebook group, "Whilst I was listening to your podcast," where listeners can pose questions and ask for clarification on discussion topics heard on the podcast. We pulled some of these inquiries and are answering them in this episode.
Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire, teacher of "The Art of Teaching Dogs," always have questions after an educational adventure. One should never stop learning and asking questions.
This is one of many such episodes planned for the second season of this podcast.
To catch up and listen to past episodes, which we STRONGLY encourage you to do, here is a link to the full list.
New Online Course from Kay Laurence-Learning About Dogs
Training Beyond and AboveThis course is for people who relish learning as a community with a plentiful opportunities to travel with new eyes and change the way you look at things.

We shall go Beyond and Above the standard recipes that will generate many Aha moments, engineer more questions, dissolve assumptions and challenge habits. This is not a course for replicating demonstration but identifying how to learn from demonstration, select critical points, identify skill sets, build clear task analysis, explore the concepts, adapt and apply the concepts to new conditions

Classes: At Humane Society of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, California
Taught by Sue McGuire TAKL Certified
"The Art of Teaching Dogs" Level 1: Saturday February 29th
We start with how the teaching process works and develops into clarity of understanding for our dogs. This first level class explores the reinforcement process. We will investigate how rewards compliment a behavior. Reinforcement types, delivery and patterns are in play when developing behaviors. Only with a deep understanding of what dogs find motivating, can we begin to unravel the mysteries of how dogs learn.

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Contingencies change behavior, reinforcers maintain or strengthen behavior.
Contingencies will include the environment, the space the dog feels is around them or not, any threats, what you are doing, what they have learned, their genetic traits, their early learning and of course .... you. All these elements can change, and because they change, the behavior changes.
In this episode, a deep discussion topic for sure, Kay Laurence of Learning About Dogs and Sue McGuire (forever the student) dive into contingencies that influence behavior.
For interesting reading here is an article "Guidance is not dependence."
Learning About Dogs: List of courses available to students both in person and online learning.

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Kay Laurence and Frances McCormack of Learning About Dogs introduce a new member of Frances’ family: Nika, a collie pup from rescue. You can follow Nika and Frances through their first year exploring the many questions that arise.
In this episode: "First Days At Home" we talk about making the transition for the new pup, and setting up success for her first few days meeting the rest of the family.

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Almost 20 years ago, Kay Laurence developed a game to teach communication skills and learning concepts to students.
Over the years, Gen Abacab has been used in universities, schools and seminars for human and dog training, and on ships in the middle of the Caribbean.
Just as doing a task is not the same as learning a task, experiencing the learning process is not the same as observing the learning process. Experiencing and learning skills of puzzle solving are unique to each individual - person, dog, chicken.

The Gen Abacab game is a valuable experience for learner and teacher and everyone should have experience in both roles. Experience of poor teaching is as valuable as much as experience of good teaching. Good teaching will leave the learner enthused, satisfied, confident and "expanded" !
On the Learning About Dogs website, look for the members section. Join this learning community.
Video of Gen Abacab being played.
We want you know of some new courses coming up from Learning About Dogs online.

Training Beyond and Above Online course

This course is for people who relish learning as a community with a plentiful opportunities to travel with new eyes and change the way you look at things.

We shall go Beyond and Above the standard recipes that will generate many Aha moments, engineer more questions, dissolve assumptions and challenge habits. This is not a course for replicating demonstration but identifying how to learn from demonstration, select critical points, identify skill sets, build clear task analysis, explore the concepts, adapt and apply the concepts to new conditions.
The Art of Teaching Dogs is a six week in person course offered by Sue McGuire at the Humane Society of Sonoma County, in Santa Rosa, California.
Continue to check up back for more Level 1 classes.