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LLA-TELE for Animal Professionals Living & Learning with Animals: The Fundamental Principles and Procedures of Teaching and Learning
Purpose
and Objectives 1) The fundamental principles of learning and behavior, 2) a model for assessing the functional relationships between behavior and environmental conditions, 3) the teaching technology of applied behavior analysis and its ethical guidelines for implementation, 4) a systematic model for building behavior-change interventions.
With this information, animal professionals will be able to better
guide clients to proactively teach their animals successful captive
and companion behaviors and effectively analyze and resolve behavior
problems that inevitably arise.
The natural science perspective of behavior analysis guides the information presented here, which means that our challenge is to explain behavioral phenomena by identifying the physical events that produce them. Participants are encouraged to focus on observable behavior and the environmental conditions that support it, rather than make inferences or assumptions about hypothetical mental mechanisms. The lectures rely heavily on the findings of many decades of scientific study of behavior from the field of behavior analysis to replace personal recipes and folk wisdoms about behavior, which are so pervasive.
Associated with this course is an email list called LLA-Tele Professionals. The purpose of this list is to further your experience with the material during the course. Information will be provided the first night of class for students to join this list.
CLICK HERE TO ENROLL FOR PART I
What is a telecourse A telecourse is a course taken over the telephone and computer. This educational medium is extremely convenient, inexpensive and productive. All you need is a telephone and access to a computer. You call in at the designated time for the lecture; you receive notes and other information via computer; and, you receive and turn in your assignments via computer. You can be anywhere there is phone access and still participate -- you can be at your office, at home, on vacation or driving in your car! We recommend you be in a location where you can take notes and focus on the lecture; however, if necessary, you can be in transit.
To learn more about telecourses, click here!
Instructor Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D. Department of Psychology Utah State University e-mail: sg.friedman@usu.edu
Course Description LLA-Tele is designed to be a first course in behavior analysis for veterinarians, trainers and other animal professionals. The principles and procedures of behavior analysis are general in nature, that is, they apply to all species and situations. Thus, LLA-Tele provides a robust, generic foundation to accurately assess and resolve behavior problems and more effectively support your behavior work with clients and patients.
MAIN TOPICS
Part 1 main topics include science foundations, respondent and operant learning, functional assessment, and principles and procedures for increasing positive behaviors.
Part 2 main topics include empowerment, principles and procedures for decreasing problem behaviors and a systematic intervention design and implementation protocol.
Application Opportunities Each student is encouraged to participate in the following application opportunities: 1. Complete at least one case study consisting of a functional assessment, intervention design, implementation, and data collection, for review by the instructor and fellow participants. 2. Complete and revise weekly short-answer homework questions included in written lectures. 3. Complete an optional 25 short-answer final exam. 4. Bring questions and comments for discussion to each teleconference. 5. Participate on the private yahoogroups list serve, LLA-Tele, maintained for course participants and instructors to further the course objectives.
Learning Objectives
PART 1: A. Lecture 1 - Science Foundations 1. Introduction a) What brings us together - animal love operationalized b) The many challenges for companion animals 2. The significance of science 3. Terminology tumult 4. The many disciplines of behavior science 5. Ethology, evolutionary determinants of behavior 6. Behavior Analysis, environmental determinants of behavior 7. Applied behavior analysis, a study of one 8. A simple model of behavioral support, behavior more or less 9. Traditional learning paradigms a) Respondent learning (classical conditioning), shrinking Pavlov i. Eliciting innate behavior patterns with learned triggers, S-S-R ii. Respondent processes: Habituation, sensitization, extinction iii. Behavior Therapy, counterconditioning processes (1) Systematic Desensitization (2) Flooding b) Operant learning i. Behavior is a function of its consequences, R-S
B. Lecture 2 - The ABCs of Behavior 1, Behavior defined and what it is not 2. The problems with constructs and vague labels a) The reification fallacy and explanatory fictions b) Operationally defining behavior 3. The smallest unit of analysis, behavior ABCs a) Distant and immediate antecedents b) Consequences 4. Functional assessment, identifying predictors and purposes 5. Analytic summary statements 6. Functional assessment protocol, first 4 sections of the FAID form
C. Lecture 3 - Antecedent Behavior Change Strategies 1. Setting events 2. Establishing operations 3. Discriminative stimuli 4. Application examples 5. Demonstration: Ken and Nico learn to step up 6. Demonstration: Severe macaw learns to step up
D. Lecture 4 - Consequence Behavior Change Strategies 1. Increasing Behavior a) Positive and negative reinforcement b) Application examples c) Essential characteristics of effective reinforcement d) Individual differences, identifying an individual's reinforcers e) Establishing new reinforcers from existing reinforcers f) Relative advantages and disadvantages of primary and secondary reinforcers i. Jaguar learns to step back g) Shaping, the crown jewel of teaching i. How it works: Operant classes and differential reinforcement ii. Steps to shape a behavior iii. Building shaping plans (1) Foot wave (2) Bathing iv. Targeting, the most important behavior for any captive animal to do v. Demonstration: Lisa and Lil' Dude target training vi. Prompting and fading (1) Demonstration: Shaping with food lure, Susan and Sam, zero bite step up training (2) Demonstration: Fading in feared hand, Susan and Blizzy simulate step up training vii. Adding a cue (1) Demonstration: Leah and Julio crate training viii. Chained behaviors (1) Two different explanations for how chains are learned (2) Forward and backward training strategies a. Telecourse Format LLA-Tele is a two-part telecourse. Each part consists of 4, weekly, 2-hour telephone classes, totaling 8 weeks and 16 contact hours. Part 1 can be taken as a terminal course, however completion of Part 1 is a prerequisite for participating in Part 2.
Each class will include a slide presentation, discussion of the weekly readings and short application exercises, and a Q&A focused on the participant's personal cases. The classes will be audio-taped and made available for the students to download for their personal use.
Course Syllabus
DATES
Part I
Thursday, September 4, 2008 Thursday, September 11, 2008 Thursday, September 18, 2008 Thursday, September 25, 2008
Part II
Thursday, October 9, 2008 Thursday, October 16, 2008 Thursday, October 23, 2008 Thursday, October 30, 2008
TIME (time is the same for both Part I and Part II)
Students will receive the teleconference phone number, access code and other logistical information in an e-mail delivered shortly before the course begins.
CEUs
CCPDT: Part I - 6.5 Part II - 6.5
IAABC: Part I – Certificate of Attendence – 8 CEUs Part I – Certificate of Completion – 10 CEUs (submit and finish homework) Part II – Certificate of Attendence – 8 CEUs (combined with Part I will be 16) Part II – Certificate of Completion – 10 CEUs (submit and finish homework - combined with Part I will be 20) Part II – Certificate of Excellence – 12 CEUs (submit and finish homework and complete final exam - combined with Part I will be 22)
Materials All required materials will be provided to the students including a link to the weekly presentation computer slides for downloading, weekly written lectures and articles, the Functional Assessment and Intervention Design (FAID) protocol, and, for Part II, The Parrot Enrichment Activity Book by Kris Porter.
Registration & Fee Per 4-Week Class Part I
Dates to be announced (we must have 18 people enrolled to conduct this class)
PART II E. Lecture 5 - Consequence Behavior Change Strategies 1. Decreasing Behavior a) Punishment, everyday usage vs. scientific functional definition b) Positive and negative punishment c) Application examples d) Consequence quadrants e) Factors affecting punishment f) Problems with punishment for companion animals, people, et al g) Alternatives to punishment i. Antecedent design ii. Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (1) Application example - replacing perseverative screaming with pleasant vocalizations and physical activity iii. Extinction (1) Problems with implementation iv. Time out - doing it correctly f) Research on choice, control and behavioral health i. Control of environment ii. Contrafreeloading iii. Learned helplessness iv. Demonstration: Amazon learns to crate with empowerment
F. Lecture 6 - Solving Problem Behaviors Systematically - Putting it All Together 1. Five considerations for developing an effective plan 2. Ethical hierarchy of behavior change procedures, effectiveness is not enough 3. Steps for building behavior change plans, Functional Assessment and Intervention Design (FAID) Protocol 4. Functional assessment summary and competing behavior paths 5. Brainstorming strategies to make problem behavior irrelevant, ineffective and inefficient a) Success Files i. Kathy: Reba: Chasing Kiki ii. Maria: Sunshine: Biting iii. Lee: Rockx: Screaming 6. Enrichment planning exercise
G. Lecture 7 - Training tips and Guidelines 1. Behavioral momentum and observational learning 2. Taking responsibility 3. Training tips a) Demonstration: Amazon learns to scoot under towel
H. Lecture 8 - Common Behavior Fallacies 1. Handling clients’ "Yeah buts" and other hackneyed distractions 2. Registration & Fee Per 4-Week Class Part II
Next dates to be announced Part I is a pre-requisite for Part II
Instructor
Testimonials
Taking Susan Friedman’s LLA course was
refreshing, enlightening and motivating. She approached behavioral issues,
which constitute a large portion of the average private veterinary
practice, from a scientific basis and taught useful tools for the
intervention of problem behaviors. Moving from anecdotal, anthropomorphic
and assumptive interpretations about behavior to a scientific
understanding of the function of behavior changed the way I approach
companion animals, wild animals and even my staff! Raptor Center College of Veterinary Medicine University of Minnesota
On a practical basis, what LLA has given me as an avian veterinarian:
For a couple of years we had at our clinic offered our clients an "avian obedience course" according to the AAV-material from the late 1990s. However, it felt outdated and frustrating not to be able to offer something better.
After learning about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) we have changed our concept totally, and are now offering "avian training courses," primarily to new bird owners, to help them get a good fresh start with their birds. So far this has been a tremendous success!
I always hear Susan¹s voice telling about the least intrusive, most positive way in doing things. The only drawback of learning about LLA and ABA is that it I¹m completely engulfed in it now. Instead of reading my veterinary textbooks and journals, I spend all free time learning more about behaviour and training!
Gunnel Anderson Djurkliniken Roslagstull, Stockholm, Sweden
Susan is who I give credit for my new approach to pet ownership. Susan’s
mantra is if you change an environment for success, animals learn to
behave successfully.
Hi Susan,
I just wanted to relate a quick moment
to you that has everything to do with you and your teachings. This course is by far one of the best courses I have ever taken. The help we received and personal attention to our questions and homework assignments was top notch, and the patience with us to be sure that we really understood the concepts and material was unmatched. Nowhere have I learned so much that is so applicable to my life, in such a short amount of time. I am so sorry that it has ended now. I now have many new tools that I can use in my communication with Picasso, and I am excited and determined to use them to the benefit of us both!
Pam Price
My fellow colleagues,
I had heard about Susan Friedman’s Living and Learning with Animalss course at an AAV lecture in 2003. I had felt as an avian veterinarian that giving behavior advice was difficult. After taking the course for 6 weeks I could see that a scientifically based study of behavior was so important. Previous behavior classes I had attended were presented from a speaker’s experiences. There were never any basics that I could go back to. This class really opened my eyes to the A,B,C’s of behavior. It makes such good sense. Those of you who were able to attend Dr. Friedman’s talk at the 2006 AAV conference understand what I’m saying. ANYONE who is involved with birds would benefit greatly form the course. I hope Dr. Friedman will feel free to post my statement everywhere she can.
Sincerely, Vicki Schulz, DVM
My personal and professional life changed
for the better when I took Dr. Susan Friedman's online LLA course. I
gained a completely different perspective as I learned the principles of
positive reinforcement. My parrot, other pets, family, friends, patients,
clients and staff have reaped the benefits. And me? The big reinforcer
for me is having lots of fun seeing others learn from what I have been
taught. I highly recommend LLA for ALL veterinary professionals, great and
small!
I just found out that Dr. Susan Friedman
will be offering another telecourse with Raising Canine; this one will be
based on her own LLA Course, which is so popular, there’s an 18 month
waiting list for enrollment!
I have a new foster dog (came from a home with 175 Labs in it -
unbelievable) who has many issues, one of which is lunging and trying to
run at other dogs in order to play (I think!).
The class was really helpful to me, because I had such a poor background in training. My only real training experience was in the old established dog obedience classes - yank them by a choke chain until their eyes bulge out kind of stuff. My bird mentor was a lady that I worked for in a pet shop, and who I later figured out should not even be allowed to VISIT birds, let alone OWN them. I got all the wrong advice from all the wrong people - time out for a misbehaving parrot meant 15 minutes alone in the bath tub (no water), that sort of thing. I hang my head in shame. This class has been such an eye opener for me, and I really meant the comment I made a while back about it making me feel free. I'm free to be nice to my birds, even when they don't "get it", and I'm free from having to "punish" them. And I'm free from having to try and figure out what they are thinking - I don't have to *know* what they're thinking! All I have to do is observe what they're Doing!
An additional thought - I haven't trained my birds or worked with them much for 4 or 5 years now. I didn't want to have to make them go sit in the bathtub for biting - that never did seem right to me. So I just fed them and watered them and talked to them in their cages, and what they were willing to offer me is what I settled for. (Most of them will step up for me anyway.) I preferred to just visit with them, talk to them in their cages, and watch them play their silly games than to have to punish them - fully believing that it was a drastic mistake to leave misbehavior unpunished. So - I didn't give them the chance to misbehave so I wouldn't be put in the position of having to punish them. See just how much this class has really helped me? *happy hop*
Helen "Stormie" Egeland
Hi Susan
Susan Friedman's LLA course was excellent at explaining the fundamentals of functional behavioral analysis and assessment using parrots as the object of study. Working with winged animals that can fly away at will and cannot be controlled by leashes, collars or head halters presents an incredible training challenge. If you want to have an even better understanding about the application of functional behavior analysis and assessment then don't miss this course.
Wendy Van Kerkhove
I actually learned about this course at the LLP course you did in Calgary. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. I managed to teach a Quaker parrot I'm fostering to step up and stay on my hand using the stuff I learned. He was very wild when he came to me.
I'm also making progress teaching my Red-lored Amazon to step up for me as well. She always steps up for my husband, but is more likely to strike at me, but this is changing. We've had to go very gradually - for example, first I rewarded her for letting me place my hand near her without lunging. My Maroon-bellied Conure is now learning to come to my hand when I call her.
For more information
Contact Raising Canine 512-916-4007
Or
Dr. Friedman 435-881-4345
Copyright © 2001-2006
Raising Canine
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