Telecourses: Fundamentals of Animal Learning

Instructors: Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D., CAAB & Daniel Q. Estep, Ph.D., CAAB

• Do you know the difference between punishment and negative reinforcement? Do you know what they share in common?
• Can you identify when negative punishment is being used in a training situation?
• Do you know when it’s appropriate to use different aversive techniques?

You’ll learn all this and much, much more in this five week tele-webinar. This course will cover the four quadrants of operant conditioning (positive and negative reinforcement and positive and negative punishment), including how to offer and withhold rewards effectively, and the criteria for proper use of punishment (both positive and negative). If you’ve gotten confused by the way others have presented the subject or if you aren’t sure how to apply what you know in your daily work or with your own dog, this course is for you.

This course is a must for all pet professionals. Anyone who trains dogs, needs to modify their behavior for any reason or needs to help dog owners do so must understand not only the fundamentals of learning but also the details of implementation. By knowing how to manage the consequences of behavior, you can make learning fun, efficient, and effective for both people and dogs.

The course is ideal for trainers preparing for CCPDT certification or veterinary technicians preparing for AVBT certification.

Here's what previous students have said about the course:

"These telecourses are incredible and what a wonderful resource! I would love to take more of your courses. Thanks so much.I have learned a lot!!!"
Amy H.

"I took the CPDT exam and was just notified that I completed it successfully. I owe thanks to the telecourses on Animal Learning, Canine Behavior, and Becoming a Great Dog Trainer. These courses helped in preparing me for the exam. Thanks again."
Peggy H.

Click here to view the course outline

This course has been approved for 5 CEU hours from CCPDT and CACVT. It is now available two ways: LIVE and ON DEMAND.

The LIVE class is presented as a tele-webinar, with live audio, visual graphics and photographs. You’ll be able to ask questions of the instructors in real time. The fifth and final week of this course includes an open discussion. This is a great opportunity to review, clarify and ask additional questions about the material covered in the previous weeks. Each weekly session lasts approximately one hour. The course comes with class notes and recommended readings.

Can’t make the live course or afraid you’ll have to miss some classes? No worries – online replays are available immediately after each session and for one week following the end of the course. CEUs can be earned through listening to the replays by correctly emailing us answers to “test” questions given during the class.

The LIVE class isn't on our current schedule. Please sign up for our ezine “Pet Behavior One Piece at a Time” to be notified about when it will be offered next.

Take this class ON DEMAND now. The ON DEMAND class is a recorded tele-webcast with the full content of the live class including class discussion and class notes. You have one month's online access to all class sessions and an opportunity to ask questions of the instructors via email. Their answers to your questions will be recorded and emailed to you within a week.

You can earn CEUs by submitting emailed answers to questions asked by the instructors during the recorded class. We’ll provide the details once you register.

RACE approved for 7 CEU hours . This ON DEMAND program (and ONLY the ON DEMAND program) was reviewed and approved by the AAVSB RACE program for continuing education. Please contact the AAVSB RACE program at race@aavsb.org should you have any comments/concerns regarding this program’s relevancy to the veterinary profession. (Animal Behavior Associates, Inc. is RACE provider #486)

Still have questions about the course? Email for more details info@animalbehaviorassociates.com

Fee: $110.00

Register here for the On Demand Course

Fee includes class, class notes and references

SAVE BIGTake our courses “Using Counter Conditioning and Desensitization Techniques” (regular $59), “Shining the Light of Science on Canine Behavior” (regular $110) and this “Fundamentals of Animal Learning” and save 15%. Get ALL THREE for $237 (a savings of $42!)
If you register for the package, you will have 3 months access to all class sessions.

Buy the Package - Canine Ethology + Animal Learning + Counter Conditioning and Desensitization

Fee: $237.00

Register here for the Package

As soon as you register for any of our courses please put info@AnimalBehaviorAssociates.com in your email address book or safe list to increase the chance our emails won’t be blocked. Once we receive notice of your payment, we’ll send you a Class Welcome and Information email. If you haven't heard from us within 48 hours (weekdays) of your payment, please email us at info@AnimalBehaviorAssociates.com. Also, check your spam box.

Don’t need the CEUs? Prefer an audio version of the class? Get this program on CD! (This 4-CD set doesn't include class discussion but does include the full lecture content of the live course plus class notes)

Telecourses for Professionals