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About the course
This professional course is designed for the experienced dog training instructor who wants to increase her/his effectiveness as an advisor for difficult training and behavior issues. The course focuses on problem solving, consultations and advanced teaching skills.
Taught using the same hands-on, interactive format as the ITC: Training & Teaching, the ITC: Consultations & Problem Solving (previously called the Advanced Instructor Training Course) combines lectures with:
- Practice Consultations – In this class you will break into small groups to practice consultation techniques. When you are practice consulting you will give advice on behavior and training issues and then receive immediate feedback from the ITC instructor and fellow students. It is a great way to sharpen your skills and pick up techniques and tips from other professionals.
- Video Analysis – We use videotape review to discuss and analyze training techniques and philosophies, to help illustrate a concept, or to review a behavior case. By looking at a section of tape and then articulating what is happening, students get a great way to integrate concepts with real life situations.
- Group Discussions – All of our students have valuable knowledge and opinions that can benefit the other participants and staff members. Participants not only learn from the staff, but from other students as well… Consider the power of 20 – 30 professionals and enthusiasts talking dog training for five days! We encourage group discussion to brainstorm ideas, to share experiences, and to encourage creative thinking. Whether it is with the whole class, in your presentation groups, or on an informal basis during meals, we promote the open exchange of ideas.
- Training a Shelter Dog – Shape a shelter dog’s behavior and teach new skills! During the course you will have the opportunity to train multiple shelter dogs giving them a foundation and enthusiasm for learning.
- Train a Farm Animal or Other Common Pets – try your skills with another species to learn more about timing, reinforcement, and setting criteria. This element of the program depends on our hosting humane society. The 2011 class will include this element!
Along with opportunities to “consult” on various topics and skills, you will be given short study or written assignments each evening to provoke thought, increase understanding and enhance your ability to articulate ideas. We will concentrate on helping you to think critically so you can teach effectively!
Homework provides you with the opportunity to articulate ideas and develop concepts that enhance the classes or prepare you for the next day’s topic or assignment. Homework is not graded as it is a tool to facilitate learning not to judge or intimidate. Homework can vary and may include things like:
- clarifying or considering a position through writing
- completing a short reading assignment
- evaluating a training technique
- working on a group presentation
- answering questions or taking a self-test
Expect homework each night to take 1 hour.
Group Presentations – You will be broken up into small groups and asked to create a professional presentation onBarbara Shumannfang uses her artistic talent to present the case history. a topic to the rest of the class. Your presentation requires discussion, analysis, creating a strategy or evaluating a situation. The group brainstorms the issue then organizes their thoughts into an educational presentation. Often groups perform skits or multi-media events! The limit on creativity is your imagination. Great fun while you learn!
The curriculum is designed to improve your competency as a behavior counselor and to help you look at new approaches to difficult training issues. Subjects may include:
- Consultation Strategies and Procedures
- Interpersonal Skills
- Behavior Solutions and Rehabilitation Strategies with a Concentration on Aggression
- Working with Difficult Dog Problems: Case Histories
- Socialization and Training for the “Feisty Fido”
- Euthanasia Counseling
- Behavior and Training Options
- When Children Live With Dogs
- Advanced Canine Learning and Behavior
- What Is This Dog Telling Me?
- Canine Ethology and Physiology
- Punishment: How, When and Why
- Classical Conditionings role in behavior and it’s modification
Topics subject to change.
Enrollment is limited to 24 full participants and up to 6 auditors to maximize personal attention and create a supportive atmosphere. Expect an intense educational experience in a fun environment.
Continuing Education Credits
ITC courses qualify for continuing education units (CEU’s) needed for the CCPDT and IAABC re-certification program.
CEUs granted from CCPDT = 21 in 2011
CEUs granted from IAABC = 15 in 2011
Food
Because food fuels our bodies and has a direct effect on learning and stamina, meals are designed to tickle your palate, keep you healthy and satisfy your sweet tooth. Vegetarian selections are available upon request, however, we cannot cater to individual dietary needs. You will be served lunches, beverages and snacks.
Instructors
ITC: Consulting is taught by Pia Silvani CPDT-KA and Carolyn Barney CPDT-KA. Together the instructors have over 40 years of teaching, consulting, and problem solving experience. To learn more go click on “Meet the Faculty”
Prerequisites
ITC: Consulting & Problem Solving is an upper-level course for experienced professionals. The course has minimum requirements for participation, which are based on experience and education.
All full registration participants must have met the following three requirements by the start of course:
(1) A minimum of two years experience in one of the following:
- Instructing a variety of classes or private lessons an average of two/three classes per week
- Working full-time as a behavior or adoption counselor at an animal shelter or rescue organization
- Training service dogs
(2) Attended at least 4 different behavior or training seminars (3-day training/behavior conferences and ITC count as two seminars each)
(3) Have a solid understanding of the language and application of learning theory
Exceptions
Exceptions for full participation will be considered on an individual basis if:
- the student is an ITC alumni or alumni of another intensive dog-training course
- the student has other comparable skills/experiences not listed above
- if the student has a deep animal behavior, training or counseling background
Contact Dana if you would like to ask for an exception.
Auditors at any level of experience are welcome. This is a great option for people interested in behavior, training enthusiasts or professionals that are just starting out as well as experienced professionals who just prefer to learn by listening and watching. As an auditor you may ask questions and participate in discussions. You will not participate in group or individual projects, interactive units, or animal training.
[Return to top]Tuition, Payment and Registration
Early-Bird Registration is offered if you register on or by January 1, 2011:
$995 – Full Registration: 5 days, all activities and hands-on learning
$645 – Auditor Registration: 5 days, auditing privileges only
Registration if you register after January 1, 2011:
$1195 – Full Registration: 5 days, all activities and hands-on learning
$795 – Auditor Registration: 5 days, auditing privileges only
A $150 non-refundable non-transferable deposit is due at the time of registration. The balance of your tuition is due 60 days prior to the course.
You may pay for tuition by:
Personal or Bank Check
Paypal – using your account or opening a new account. You can also pay via your credit card.
Complete payment information will come up on the screen after you complete registration or click on the link. ITC General Payment Information
Please familiarize yourself with the Registration/Refund Policy, and the Waiver before signing up.
[Return to top]Location
MSPCA’s Nevin’s Farm in Methuen. MA – This highly respected animal shelter cares for over 6,000 unwanted and homeless dogs, cats, small companion animals, and farm animals a year! Their companion animal shelter is a designed to minimize stress and provide the best services possible for the animals, relinquishers and adopters. MSCPA Nevin’s Farm is a true community resource offering a children’s summer camp, dog training classes and behavior consultations, community outreach, pet cemetery and loss services, and is the only open-door equine and farm animal adoption center in New England. ITC’s primary classroom is located in the back of the shelter and is a cheerful fully matted room that is air-conditioned/heated.
Located just off major highways about 30 miles north west of Boston, It is easy to get to from a variety of locations. Only minutes from great shopping in tax-free New Hampshire and a short trip to either the mountains or the ocean, Methuen is a perfect spot for our course.
Hotels
Policies and rates may change from what is listed below.
Days Inn, Methuen, MA
Phone: (978) 686-2971
$69 + per night, $25/stay pet fee
5 minutes away
Red Roof Inn, Salem, NH
Phone: (603) 898-6422
$50 + per night, Pets allowed – one per room
5 minutes away
La Quinta Inn, Salem, NH
Phone: (603) 893-4722
$75 + per night, Pet friendly
5 minutes away
Best Western Merrimack Valley, Haverhill, MA
Phone: (978) 373-1511
$89 + per night with cont. breakfast, Small pets only – $20/night pet fee
10 minutes away
Comfort Suites, Haverhill, MA
Phone: (978) 374-7755
$100+ per night, No pets
10 minutes away
Courtyard by Marriott, Andover, MA
Phone: (978) 794-0700
$140 + per night, Service animals only
10 minutes away
Best Western Chelmsford Inn, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Phone: (978) 256-7511
$110+ per night, No pets
Recently Renovated
15 minutes away
Area Airports
Manchester, NH – 25 miles away
Boston, MA – 31 miles away
Driving Directions
The MSPCA at Nevins Farm
400 Broadway, Methuen, MA
(978) 687-7453
From Route 495: Take Exit 47 to Route 213 West, Methuen. Take Exit 2 off of Route 213 to Route 28, Methuen. Follow the ramp straight to the light. The MSPCA entrance is directly across Route 28.
From Route 93: Take Exit 48 to Route 213 East, Methuen. Take Exit 2 off of Route 213 to Route 28, Methuen. Follow the ramp to the light and take a left onto Route 28. At the next set of lights, turn left into the MSPCA entrance
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