When it comes to caring for “man’s best friend,” there is an
overwhelming amount of information available to dog owners – some good and some
bad.
In an effort to make sure canine enthusiasts have access to
the most advanced, modern and scientifically-supported approaches to dog
handling and training, the West Virginia
University Davis College of Agriculture,
Natural Resources and Design has created a new online course available
through WVU Continuing Professional
Education.
Dog Training Foundations
presents an overview of canine development, health and behavior, providing
students with the fundamentals of all things dog - from how they see the world
and communicate to the fundamentals of the most advanced behavior training
techniques.
“This course offers knowledge above and beyond what typical
dog training classes offer,” said Lindsay
Parenti, visiting instructor in the Division of Animal and Nutritional
Sciences. “Education about modern dog training techniques is lacking and there is
conflicting information available to pet owners and those interested in
training dogs. This course will help to spread awareness of the most
up-to-date, ethical, and scientifically-based behavior modification techniques
for dogs.”
And, according to Parenti, understanding the science behind
behavior modification techniques allows students to solve a variety of
behavioral concerns as opposed to a recipe-style format of dog training.
Topics to be discussed include dog development,
socialization, nutrition, health care, training techniques, housetraining,
prevention of aggression and other behavior problems, and ethical principles
related to dog training.
“Ultimately, those successfully completing the course will
be better able to understand and provide for the canine family members,” she
said.
An associate certified animal behavior consultant and
certified service dog trainer, Parenti has extensive knowledge and experience
in training dogs – including service and therapy dogs. She designed and
currently teaches three popular WVU courses that focus on assistance animals:
Service Dog Training, Animal Assisted Interventions, and Animal Learning.
In addition to empowering canine owners, the course will
also cover the different types of assistance animals, what they do and laws
surrounding their use in society.
After successfully completing the online Dog Training
Foundations course, individuals interested in volunteering for or receiving a
dog from Hearts of Gold, a local nonprofit organization that raises, trains and
places dogs to assist people with disabilities, will be able to register for a
workshop to further develop their dog training skills with hands-on practice.
The three-week course begins June 25. The cost of the course
is $549.
For more information and to register, visit https://continuinged.wvu.edu/.
CONTACT: Lindsay Willey, WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design 304-293-2381; Lindsay.Willey@mail.wvu.edu